In October 2001, amid much publicity, the Government enforced new rules that employers with five or more employees had to establish a pension scheme on behalf of employees. Research has found that many have complied but nearly 20,000 employers may not have complied with the law and the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority, the Inland Revenue body tasked with enforcing this law, has launched a campaign to weedle out the stragglers.
Maximum fines are up to £50,000 for non-compliance and OPRA are targeting regions with more to follow. They have initially started with Yorkshire employers and are now moving to the South-east with other regions to follow.
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