Policy Legislation Handbook

Thank you to CCH daily for their report of this news.

Stride, who first entered parliament in May 2010, became the parliamentary private secretary to skills minister John Hayes in February 2012, following him subsequently moving to the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

The MP comes from Portsmouth and studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University, where he was president of the Oxford Union. He has also served as a senior parliamentary advisor to the Cabinet Office and worked in the government whips office.

Stride set up his own business in 1987 specialising in trade exhibitions, conferences and publishing. He expanded this venture into the US working there before selling the US company.

On his website, Stride says: ‘That it is valuable for politicians to have had career experience outside of politics before entering Parliament - he became an MP at 48 - and his background in entrepreneurship has made him a valuable contributor in Westminster on business issues.’

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Parliamentary under-secretary for pensions and financial inclusion 21 June 2017

Following the post-election reshuffle, Guy Opperman has been named as parliamentary under-secretary for pensions and financial inclusion.

Professional Pensions reports that Guy Opperman's appointment has been received positively, but experts say he must tackle a number of outstanding policy issues.

The previous pensions minister Richard Harrington, moved to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This leaves Opperman with a large pile of pensions issues do deal with, including the fate of the triple lock on the state pension and whether the state pension age will be raised, as well as legislation to crack down on pension scams, and the review of auto-enrolment workplace pensions.

The People's Pension director of policy and market engagement, Darren Philp, welcomed the new minister. He said:

"It is encouraging to see the expansion of Opperman's role to oversee all forms of financial engagement. This new remit bodes well for both the regulators and the industry, both of whom are crying out for a more joined-up approach when it comes to pensions and financial guidance policy."

Guy Opperman will be working under David Gauke, who has become secretary of state for work and pensions.