The Government is taking an increasing interest in where pension funds are investing – or not investing.
How Government Spending Pressure Affects Pension Strategy
As March’s Spring Statement underlined, Government finances are in a tight and precarious position. Precisely where the line is drawn may become apparent by the time you read this, with the results of the latest three-year Spending Review on 11 June.
The Mansion House Compact: A New Direction
Financial constraints were also squeezed under the previous government, which led the Chancellor’s predecessor, Jeremy Hunt, to launch the Mansion House Compact in July 2023. The Compact was signed by eleven major workplace pension providers, which agreed to invest 5% of their default workplace funds in private company shares by 2030. Mr Hunt aimed to finance small UK businesses without requiring fresh government support by, for example, tax incentives or subsidised loans.
The Mansion House Accord: Reeves Builds on Reform
Rachel Reeves made her first Mansion House Speech in November last year and, unsurprisingly, talked in similar terms to Mr Hunt about directing millions in pension funds towards UK investment. In May 2025, she launched the ‘Mansion House Accord’, building on the previous ‘Compact’. Seventeen major pension providers, accounting for about 90% of active savers’ defined contribution (DC) pensions, signed up to the new Accord. By doing so, they agreed:
• By 2030, to invest 10% of their workplace pension portfolios in “private assets”, such as unlisted company shares, property, infrastructure and private debt.
• That at least half their private portfolios would be ringfenced for the UK. The Treasury estimates up to £25bn of assets by 2030.
Could Mandatory UK Pension Investment Be Next?
At present, the agreement is just that, but when asked whether she would make the 10% and 5% private investment levels mandatory, the Chancellor’s response was “Never say never”. There is some unease among investment managers that mandation could creep in. The current agreement signed by the pension providers does have some wiggle room – for example, the government is expected to “facilitate” a pipeline of UK investment opportunities.
Should You Stay in a Default Pension Fund?
In practice, meeting the private asset goals is likely to focus on investments made by default funds – those where most money flows because no other specific fund is selected. If your pension invests in a default fund, you may want to review your choice and take some investment advice tailored to your own goals, not the government’s.
