Who is the new Minister for Pensions?

Now that winter has rolled in, the political turbulence of the Autumn has also gone cold.

Now might be a good time to check up on the new Minister for Pensions.

Who is the Minister for Pensions?

Laura Trott MP is currently the Minister for Pensions. She was appointed on 27th October 2022 as part of prime minister Rishi Sunak's cabinet reshuffle, replacing Alex Burghart (part of Liz Truss' short-lived cabinet).

Trott is the standing Conservative MP for Sevenoaks.

What are their responsibilities?

According to the DWP, Laura Trott's primary responsibilities as Minister for Pensions include:

• pensioner benefits, including new State Pension, Winter Fuel Payments, Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance

• private and occupational pensions, including regulatory powers and the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST)

• Social Fund (Cold Weather Payments, Sure Start Maternity grants and Funeral Expenses Payment scheme)

• oversight of arms-length bodies, including the Pensions Regulator, Pension Protection Fund, Financial Assistance Scheme and Pensions Ombudsman, and Office for Nuclear Regulation

• methods of payment, including Post Office Card Account

• Net Zero

What is a Minister?

When Rishi Sunak took over from Liz Truss as prime minister, he rang in a host of changes to his cabinet office. The cabinet is a group of government MPs from the ruling party - that being the Conservatives - who run each government department. These MPs are called ministers.

In the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), there are multiple ministers overseeing different roles within the Department. We have a Minister for Employment, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, and a Minister of Lords.

The Minister for Pensions is also a part of the DWP.