The Apprentice's Karren Brady Welcomes Three Millionth Pension Auto-Enrolment Member

Apprentice star Karren Brady has hailed the importance of the UK government's flagship workplace pension scheme as now more than three million workers use the programme to save for retirement.

According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the three millionth employee to be auto-enrolled into an occupational pension scheme is employed by West Ham United.

Brady, who is well-known for her role as a judge on TV show The Apprentice, is also a vice chairman of West Ham United.

The business woman claimed the English Premiership football club was very pleased to be supporting the programme.

"It is becoming increasingly important for people to plan for their future at an earlier age," said Brady.

"The scheme should help to make a real difference to the retirement prospects of some of the unsung stars at our club."

The policy was introduced to address chronic under-saving with millions not putting aside enough for retirement, and only one in three private sector employees paying into a workplace pension.

The first workers were automatically enrolled into pension schemes in 2012 starting with the largest employers and the duties will extend to the smallest firms and new employers by 2018.

Thousands of medium sized employers will follow them over the next six months.

Steve Webb, the Pensions Minister, added: "Before automatic enrolment, pension saving in this country was at its lowest ebb with too few people having the opportunity to save into a workplace pension.

"We have kicked off a savings revolution that will benefit millions in their retirement."