Guy Opperman re-joined the UK government as pension minister on 8 July 2022.
He is the longest serving pension minister since the position was created in 1997, surpassing Steve Webb in June 2022.
In a statement on social media on 8 July, he said: “[I] have agreed to help [the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)] navigate the next few weeks, while we decide the appointment of a new prime minister.
“With House of Commons questions on Monday [11 July], legislation/regulations in parliament the next two weeks, and the extra cost of living support for pensioners to be organised with the start of the cost-of-living-support next week; energy support grant in October; extra winter fuel payment; and continued expansion and take up of pension credit; plus urgent work on dashboard, superfunds, defined benefit issues, an outstanding ESG consultation, ongoing correction exercises, and three to four pending Private Members Bills means that when the chief whip asked me to help until the new prime minister was chosen, I agreed.”
Opperman had stepped down from the role on 7 July 2022 mere hours before Boris Johnson’s resignation as prime minister.
This was one of the most turbulent weeks in Johnson’s stint at 10 Downing Street with as many as 60 ministers quitting, forcing him to step down.
This means the Conservative Party will need to elect a leader in the coming months, with 11 already having put themselves forward to succeed Johnson.
‘Steady the ship’
Kate Smith, head of pensions at Aegon, said: “Barely a day out of office and Guy Opperman is back as pensions minister. This is good news for pensions with the minister given more time to finish at least some of what he started, giving much needed continuity rather than disruption.
“Opperman’s resignation had rung alarm bells with the pension industry as it could have put the pension dashboard progress in peril.
“Now it looks like it’s back on track and we’re expecting the government’s response to its consultation on the draft regulations, including confirmation of the implementation timeline imminently.
“Opperman has agreed to ‘steady the pensions ship’ until the new prime minister is in place when parliament returns after its summer break. He has been the longest serving pensions minister and has built up a wealth of experience.
“He is introducing a number of far-reaching policy initiatives, some of which are in mid-flight, including the pension engagement season. Pensions policy is a hive of activity and it’s important that it remains on track, with a priority to try to improve member understanding and engagement with their pensions.
“Time will tell if a new prime minister ultimately leads to a new pensions minister with different ideas and priorities.”
