The Pensions Regulator has said it will appoint High Court Enforcement Officers to seize assets of employers who do not pay a pension fine.
Following up on its 'clearer, quicker, tougher' mantra, the regulator said if an employer snubs the law by not paying a fine, HCEOs can enter even locked premises and remove items that can be sold, adding that "this could include the employer’s vehicles".
HCEOs have not been used by the regulator so far.
The regulator also said it will consider whether to prosecute employers that do not comply with their auto-enrolment duties after being given a court order demanding they pay the fines they have incurred.
Darren Ryder, director of automatic enrolment, said: “The use of HCEOs is a last resort for us. Unfortunately the behaviour of a tiny minority means it may be necessary.”
HCEOs will also collect payment for other fines or levies issued by the regulator, it said, such as for failure to submit a chair statement and for scheme return offences.
