HM Treasury has appointed David Sturrock as Economic Adviser to the Chancellor and member of the Chancellor’s Council of Economic Advisers, stating that he will provide expert input to the government’s growth mission under the Plan for Change. The appointment was published on 29 October 2025.
The published terms of reference set a one-year term from 20 October 2025 to 20 October 2026, with potential extension. The role involves advising on economic policy, working closely with civil servants and Special Advisers, engaging external experts, operating on a confidential basis with access to official and ministerial papers, and updating the Chancellor as required.
HM Treasury notes that standard processes for declaring and managing interests apply to this appointment. The terms confirm that a full declaration has been completed and that mitigations set by the Permanent Secretary, supported by the Propriety and Ethics Team if required, will govern any potential or perceived conflicts.
Sturrock brings a research track record from the Institute for Fiscal Studies covering intergenerational inequality, retirement saving and pensions, and previously worked as an economist at HM Treasury. His IFS work spans household wealth, intergenerational transfers and the effects of longer working lives on health outcomes.
The Council of Economic Advisers serves as a forum for external expertise alongside Treasury analysis. Recent HM Treasury announcements highlight that Professor John Van Reenen, now advising on growth, previously chaired the Chancellor’s Council of Economic Advisers, while former No.10 policy chief Dan Corry has also served as chair in earlier administrations.
Current pensions policy work provides an immediate channel for Sturrock’s expertise. The government has confirmed that, from 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and certain death benefits will fall within the scope of Inheritance Tax, with pension scheme administrators responsible for reporting and payment processes; draft legislation is being progressed through technical consultation.
Automatic enrolment parameters remain unchanged for 2025/26. The Department for Work and Pensions confirmed the earnings trigger at £10,000 and the qualifying earnings band at £6,240 to £50,270, a position reflected in The Pensions Regulator’s operational guidance for employers.
The appointment also aligns with the Plan for Change growth mission, which prioritises stability, investment and reform to raise living standards. The IMF’s 2025 Article IV consultation judged that the mission targets the right areas to lift productivity, while stressing the need for clear sequencing and delivery.
Policy Wire analysis: this is a time‑limited, formalised advisory channel into the Chancellor’s office on savings and intergenerational questions at the same time as the Treasury adjusts the tax treatment of pensions and holds auto‑enrolment thresholds steady. For pension providers, scheme administrators and employers, the fixed 2025/26 thresholds and the 6 April 2027 IHT timetable are the concrete dates to plan against; the Council appointment adds analytical capacity rather than altering those timelines.