DWP stats show auto-enrolment failing to reach farmers

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DWP stats show auto-enrolment failing to reach farmers

According to data released by the Department for Work and Pensions, 91 per cent of public sector workers who are eligible for auto-enrolment schemes have a workplace pension in comparison to 63 per cent of private sector employees.

Despite this, since the implementation of auto-enrolment legislation, the number of private sector worker participating in the schemes has increased from 5.2 million (42 per cent of the workforce) to 9.2 million between 2012 and 2014.

Overall 89 per cent of those working in large companies (with over 5,000 members of staff) were enrolled in their workplace pension scheme in comparison to the 12 per cent of those working in micro-businesses.

These increases coincide with the staged implementation of automatic enrolment, which began with the largest employers and will end in 2018.

The data also showed the gender gap has balanced with both genders having the same level of participation across the public and private sector.

Despite this, there is a noticeable difference between the sectors in participation levels.

While levels of participation reached 83 per cent in sectors such as public, administration, health and education only 26 per cent of those in the agriculture sector used a workplace pension scheme.

Gavin Perera-Betts, executive director of product and marketing for Nest, said: “From a standing start in 2012, there are now over 5 million workers auto enrolled in pension schemes.

“That is a great start, but we’re only at the halfway mark. We’ve still got 5 million more people to come and this is when the business world really gets to grips with auto enrolment.

“With an average of over 2,000 employers staging each day over the next few years, harnessing technology is key.”

lucinda.borrell@ft.com