MIDDLE-CLASS families will have to pay 3% into their nannies’ pension schemes under proposals to be published by Lord Turner in his pensions report this week.

It is understood that Turner will recommend a new national pension for all employers, with employees automatically opted in to it. Only those workers who choose to opt out will be exempt. Business groups are certain to be sceptical of the idea and will view it as another financial burden.

Turner will unveil the findings of his three-year commission on pensions on Wednesday. He is expected to recommend that employers should be compelled to make a contribution to each employee’s pension fund.

Under his plan, each person’s pension scheme will consist of an annual contribution equivalent to 8% of their salary, which will comprise a 4% contribution from the employee, 3% from the employer and 1% from the government.

The 3% outlay imposed on employers will be viewed by businesses as an added burden on top of the National Insurance (NI) contributions they already make. Gordon Brown, the chancellor, increased NI contributions by 1% in 2002 to pay for greater public spending on health and education.

The 8% savings level is thought to be the minimum to let the worker save enough for his or her old age. The scheme has been called the Britsaver and is modelled on New Zealand’s KiwiSaver.

Under the plans, workers who do not have a private or an occupational pension plan would be automatically “opted in” to the new scheme.

Stephen Alambritis, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said the move would be “a tax too far” and urged the government to reject it. “Small employers do not have the elasticity to make such contributions — particularly one as big as another 3%,” he said. “What you would see is some people being laid off or new staff not being taken on. Small business already takes massive heat in terms of tax and regulation.”

John Cridland of the Confederation of British Industry said: “We are concerned about the suggestion Turner plans to recommend compulsory pension contributions from employers.”

It is also thought Turner will recommend an eventual £14 billion rise in NI contributions to pay for the overall rise in state pensions.

Tony Blair is likely to be sensitive to business concerns about “back door” compulsory pensions. Blair and Brown will also be anxious not to alienate middle-class voters by adding to the cost of childcare.

The report has already caused problems, with Brown accused of trying to reject recommendations before it comes out.

On today’s GMTV programme, John Hutton, the work and pensions secretary, will say the government intends to take the Turner report “very seriously indeed”. But he will warn that the recommendations must be examined closely before any commitment is made.

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