A KENT MP has taken the drastic step of using the Freedom of Information Act to try to force action over lost pensions.

Derek Wyatt. MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, is concerned at the amount of time it has taken for the Parliamentary Ombudsman to publish a report about the maladministration of final salary occupational pensions schemes.

More than 300 Sheppey workers from the former ASW steel mill, now Thamesteel Ltd, lost their pensions when the firm went into liquidation in 2002.

The Government unveiled a £400 million rescue package, but workers said the amount was not enough. In November last year it was announced the Ombudsman would carry out a full investigation, but the findings have not yet been published.

Mr Wyatt has now put in a request that all correspondence between the Ombudsman and his own Labour Government’s Department for Work and Pensions be made public.

He said: “The report has been delayed and delayed; why? It must be that the findings aren’t to the liking of the Government – or why delay?

“The only way to find out is reluctantly to use the Information Act and see if we can have sight of the correspondence.”

Former ASW employee John Hayter welcomed the challenge by Mr Wyatt. He said: “We have lost faith with the Parliamentary Ombudsman department. It has been dragging on for a long time and we’re not happy.

“First they said it would be August, then October, and then last week, they said they would publish a report in March.”