Carillion directors look unlikely to face criminal prosecution for the actions that led to a £800m pension deficit, according to the junior minister for work and pensions.

Answering questions in the House of Commons yesterday, Guy Opperman told MPs it was unlikely changes to legislation laid out in the Department for Work and Pensions DB White Paper earlier this year, which proposes criminal charges for directors who neglect their duties, would be applied to Carillion’s directors.

The statement came in answer to questions from shadow minister for work and pensions Jack Dromey who asked: “The DB White Paper proposes criminal charges for directors who neglect their duties. Can I ask the minister, would Carillion directors go to jail under the proposed changes to the law and if not, why not?”