AROUND half of small businesses, 51 per cent, have not taken any steps to comply with rules that require employees to be automatically enrolled in pension schemes although 90 per cent are aware of when the regulations will apply to them, a survey by the Forum of Private business has found.

Ian Cass, head of business support at the forum said: "The question of whether small firms will be able to have their schemes up and running in time and at a reasonable cost remains a serious concern." He noted providers will face high demand for pensions advice.