The consultation, which ran from 1 December 2014 to 9 January 2015, sought views on proposals to simplify the automatic enrolment process and reduce burdens on employers via legislation.

While the LITRG welcomed the DWP’s attempt to reduce the complexity of the automatic enrolment regime, it questioned the wisdom of plans to provide less information to workers.

In particular, it is concerned about the changes that further limit communications to jobholders who are entitled to opt in, and to workers without qualifying earnings who are entitled to join a pension scheme. It says the ‘proposed one-size-fits all communication to both of these groups of workers could result in them becoming confused and disengaged’ and suggests that there should be more supporting information, not less, so that people can properly understand how auto enrolment will affect them .

It also disagrees that individuals, who may already find it confusing to define their qualifying earnings category, should be expected to research their own pension position further without adequate signposting from employers, saying it leaves people open to the risk of fraud and misinformation.

The LITRG’s response is available at http://www.litrg.org.uk/Resources/LITRG/Documents/2015/01/150107_LITRG%20response%20Automatic%20Enrolment_FINAL.pdf