The pensions industry has welcomed the chancellor’s Budget announcement that it is to bring forward the ban on pensions cold-calling.
This issue has been under discussion for a number of years. Although the chancellor stopped short of announcing when these ban would be effective, most welcomed the renewed commitment to this change.
Aegon’s head of pensions, Kate Smith says: “Finally, subject to parliamentary approval the government is going to implement the ban on pension cold-calling.
“Although we still haven’t got a date, we are hopeful the ban will become a reality sooner rather than later.”
She says that although a cold-calling ban “won’t be a panacea” it will go some way to protecting people from pension scammers.
She adds: “For the ban to be effective, it needs to be accompanied by a public awareness campaign. So we’re pleased to see that the government will work with partners to make sure people are aware that pension cold-calling will be illegal, once the ban is in place.”
Quilter pension expert Ian Browne adds: “The consultation response on the cold-calling ban is full of sensible commitments including raising awareness and having the ICO publish guidance.
“It is vital the government keeps to these promises and the timeline.” He adds that it is worth noting that the government does clarify the fact that the FCA does not necessarily want a ban on investment in unregulated investments. However they want to ensure that financial advisers and Sipp operators conduct sufficient due diligence to safe guard investors.