Contributions
1,413 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)The Government have requested to withdraw clause 3 and replace it with new clause 21. I am slightly confused as to how we got to the point where the Government did not make this…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fourth sitting)The Liberal Democrat and Conservative amendments are very different methods to achieve a similar outcome. Conservative amendment 258 is a bit wider, in the sense that it would…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fourth sitting)I think this is the place to do it. In fact, I think every place is the place to do it. When we debated the Advanced Research and Invention Agency Act 2022, for example, I…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)If the hon. Member for Wyre Forest can confirm that he does not intend the change to apply in Scotland, because we do not have strategic authorities, I am quite happy not to vote…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)I was thinking about how the amendment would work in practice in my local area. I live in the Aberdeen city council area. We are landlocked. We are surrounded by the Aberdeenshire…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fourth sitting)Will the hon. Gentleman clarify what “long term members outcomes” means? Does it mean people that have been members of the scheme for a long time, or does it mean members’…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Fourth sitting)The point is about the regulations on the surplus and the times at which schemes can pay it. It is not about looking at each individual scheme; it is about looking at the level…04 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Third sitting)This is a genuine question that I do not know the answer to. Is reducing the contribution made by employers the only way that the funds can currently utilise a surplus, or are…04 Sept 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsHave the Government done an equality assessment on how cancelling family reunion differentially impacts those from ethnic minority backgrounds?03 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Second sitting)Q This is about people who do not get financial advice, which is the vast majority of people, and their understanding of pensions and what they are likely to get. On a DB scheme,…02 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Second sitting)Q In relation to investments and some of the stuff that was not invested in historically, if we are talking about renewable projects and affordable housing—things that,…02 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Second sitting)Q In relation to private assets and the investment in them, is the balance between carrots and sticks correct in the Bill, or should more carrots, for example, be provided to…02 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you very much for all your hard work on this, for your passion and for how articulate you are, particularly for those people that cannot be there and cannot make the case…02 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Second sitting)Q I have two questions. If the Minister could just answer “yes” to the first one, that would be great. The Regulatory Policy Committee has said in its assessment of the impact…02 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Second sitting)Q The other question is in relation to the fact that there are 273 amendments—240 normal amendments and 30 new clauses—which we got yesterday. I have raised my concerns with the…02 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (Second sitting)I was on that one as well. Torsten Bell: We have all made life choices. The thing that I am trying to avoid—and the reason why there are so many at this stage—is what has happened…02 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (First sitting)If the Government amendments in relation to the local government pension scheme go through, I have an interest as I am a deferred member of a local government pension scheme in…02 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (First sitting)Q There is a question around surplus release, and the power of trustees in relation to surplus release. It makes sense that there should be surplus release, but trustees may feel…02 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (First sitting)Q I have a question about the balance of decision making. Trustees are obviously required to steward and grow assets on behalf of scheme members. This Bill slightly changes the…02 Sept 2025HANSARDPension Schemes Bill (First sitting)Q Do the majority of trustees already take into account what they think scheme members would think about certain investments anyway, or about ESG, for example? Charlotte Clark:…02 Sept 2025