Torsten Bell is to continue as pensions minister following the cabinet reshuffle under new prime minister Andy Burnham.
The government confirmed last night through its list of ministerial appointments that Bell would continue as a parliamentary secretary working across HM Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
There had been speculation following the resignation of previous prime minister Sir Keir Starmer that a new appointment could be made to the position. Some political commentators have touted Bell as a future chancellor, after he worked with Rachel Reeves on last year’s Budget.
Bell took over from Emma Reynolds in January 2025 and has overseen the government’s ambitious and wide-ranging pensions reform agenda. He led the Pension Schemes Bill through parliament, and despite significant controversy over the ‘mandation’ clause affecting defined contribution master trusts, the bill received Royal Assent earlier this year.
The minister has also overseen – alongside the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government – a controversial reshaping of the Local Government Pension Scheme, with two asset pools closed down following a government review.
Last week, Bell announced the latest plan for enacting the various elements of what is now the Pension Schemes Act alongside other areas of legislation.
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“Pension policy is a long-term game which needs focus and consistency to ensure the current reforms are implemented in a way that will deliver a sustainable, trusted retirement savings framework for the millions who depend on it in later life.”
“Torsten has shown he can deliver ambitious reform as a pensions minister, and we are glad to see him stay in post to see that through. Maintaining momentum will be critical to delivering better outcomes for savers.”
David Brooks, head of policy at Broadstone, said: “Given the significant pensions policy agenda currently flowing through the Pension Schemes Act alongside other reforms, it is pleasing to have continuity for the sector.
“There is a big opportunity – through the expansion of collective defined contribution, unlocking surplus capital and delivering pensions dashboards to name just a few – to make a tangible difference to workers, savers, providers and UK plc.
“Pension policy is a long-term game which needs focus and consistency to ensure the current reforms are implemented in a way that will deliver a sustainable, trusted retirement savings framework for the millions who depend on it in later life.”
Zoe Alexander, executive director of policy and advocacy at Pensions UK, added: “Torsten has shown he can deliver ambitious reform as a pensions minister, and we are glad to see him stay in post to see that through. Maintaining momentum will be critical to delivering better outcomes for savers.
“We look forward to continuing our engagement with Torsten Bell and ministers across DWP and the Treasury on our shared priorities of strengthening retirement outcomes, improving pension adequacy and building a pensions system that works for both savers and the wider economy.”
Earlier this week, Pat McFadden was reappointed as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, while former defence minister John Healey was named chancellor.
