More from the BBC here, and ministerial quotes below...
Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:
"This is a vital reform and I'm proud the Coalition has made it a reality. Automatic enrolment will get up to 9 million more people saving into a workplace pension and for many it will be the first time they have had the opportunity to save. It will allow people to start planning for their retirement and this will make it easier for them to start putting something aside, along with a contribution from their employer."
Steve Webb, Minister for Pensions, said:
"This October we can celebrate a major milestone - automatic enrolment is the biggest boost to pensions for over a century. By the time all employers are included, millions more people will be saving for their old age, with over half a million new savers in workplace pensions by Christmas.
Few policies affect as many people and this will be a truly radical social change. All the international evidence shows people respond positively to automatic enrolment, and I’m determined to make sure that pensions are no longer seen as the preserve of the few."
