Decision

Summary of business appointments applications - Rt Hon Steve Webb

Published 12 August 2015

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/webb-steve-minister-for-pensions-department-for-work-and-pensions-acoba-recommendation/summary-of-business-appointments-applications-rt-hon-steve-webb

Rt Hon Steve Webb left his role as Minister for Pensions in May 2015.

1. Director of Policy, Royal London Group

Mr Webb asked for the Committee’s advice about accepting a full time paid appointment as Director of Policy and Communications for Royal London Group, having left Government in May 2015.

The Committee took into account that during his time as Minister Mr Webb met regularly with pension companies including Royal London, although he stated that this was only ‘on occasion’. Mr Webb stated that DWP had no special relationship with Royal London. DWP has confirmed that Mr Webb met with Royal London on two separate occasions as Minister. He may also have met officials from the company at various conferences.

The Committee noted that Mr Webb also met with competitors of Royal London. However, any commercially sensitive information was generally presented by DWP officials in an aggregated or anonymised form.

Although Royal London will have engagement with government in the course of its business, Mr Webb has informed us that it will not be part of his role with the organisation to be involved in such engagement. However, given how closely his ministerial responsibilities were related to Royal London’s business, the Committee believes that a waiting period would be appropriate.

The Committee noted with concern that unofficial reports about Mr Webb’s role with Royal London had appeared in the press before its advice could be given. However, the Committee did not believe that Mr Webb or his new employer were at fault for this and, taking into account all the circumstances, the Committee advised Mr Webb that it saw no reason why he should not accept this appointment subject to the conditions:

  • that he should not draw on any privileged information available to him as a Minister;
  • that there should be a six month waiting period from his last day in ministerial office; and
  • for two years from his last day in office, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK Government on behalf of his new employer, its parent company, its subsidiaries or its clients.

Lord German recused himself from this case.

The Committee wrote its advice letter Mr Webb in August 2015 and the appointment was announced later that month (to be taken up in November 2015).

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