date: 27 September 2004 embargo: For immediate release

Attention: industrial and personal finance correspondents

TUC welcome for new pensions challenge fund

Commenting on the announcement today (Monday) by Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions that the Government is to create a fund to generate more workplace pensions advice by specially trained union reps, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The TUC very much welcomes this new challenge fund. Many employees do not know where to turn for good pensions advice, but they will trust their union to tell it to them straight.'

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Press release (300 words) issued 27 Sep 2004