Recommendations from the former president of the Institute of Actuaries over the regulation and protection of workplace pensions have been welcomed by minister for pensions reform James Purnell.

The minister praised the work of Paul Thornton who was appointed to carry out the review in January 2007.

"We intend to fully implement his proposals and are working with the institutions and stakeholders to develop practical proposals to ensure the framework continues to support current and future pensioners," the minister said.

Mr Thornton recommended that the Financial Services Authority and the Pensions Regulator start cooperating especially with regards to defined contributions schemes.

He also advised that the Pensions Ombudsman and Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) be combined to create a pensions jurisdiction within the FOS.

His third key measure relates to the existing cooperation between the Pension Protection Fund and the Pensions Regulator, which he thinks should be working more closely together.

The measures are aimed at harmonising and bringing more collaboration to the current pensions system.