It is a privilege to take part in this debate. I enjoyed the typically powerful speech from the noble Lord, Lord Bridges of Headley. What I think he got right was his comment that this debate is really about political choices and political beliefs. It will come as no surprise...

It is a privilege to take part in this debate. I enjoyed the typically powerful speech from the noble Lord, Lord Bridges of Headley. What I think he got right was his comment that this debate is really about political choices and political beliefs. It will come as no surprise...

I start by paying tribute to the noble Lord, Lord St John of Bletso. I do not know whether he will mind me mentioning that we recently discovered that we share one thing in common—there may be others—which is that we are both stammerers. He is wonderful testimony to the...

I start by paying tribute to the noble Lord, Lord St John of Bletso. I do not know whether he will mind me mentioning that we recently discovered that we share one thing in common—there may be others—which is that we are both stammerers. He is wonderful testimony to the...

Yes, the noble Lord, Lord Leigh of Hurley. That was a blind spot: I am sorry. I always listen with great interest to what the noble Lord says. We take part in many of the same debates. I did not really understand his suggestion that widows would be the main...

Yes, the noble Lord, Lord Leigh of Hurley. That was a blind spot: I am sorry. I always listen with great interest to what the noble Lord says. We take part in many of the same debates. I did not really understand his suggestion that widows would be the main...

Sure, but that is true only if the widow does not get a pension. My whole point is that that arrangement should be providing pensions and not providing capital sums to the widow. If the deceased does not want to place that burden on their widow—or widower: it works both...

Sure, but that is true only if the widow does not get a pension. My whole point is that that arrangement should be providing pensions and not providing capital sums to the widow. If the deceased does not want to place that burden on their widow—or widower: it works both...

I strongly welcome this Budget, particularly the removal of the two-child limit. The remarks made by the noble Lord, Lord Bailey of Paddington, failed to change my mind on the issue. I took them as being the latest iteration of the age-old tactic of the immiseration of those who deserve...

I strongly welcome this Budget, particularly the removal of the two-child limit. The remarks made by the noble Lord, Lord Bailey of Paddington, failed to change my mind on the issue. I took them as being the latest iteration of the age-old tactic of the immiseration of those who deserve...

It is a great pleasure to take part in this debate. It is a bit like the Economic Affairs Committee 2024-25 reunion tour, with added guest stars. I was a member of the committee, and preparing for the debate gave me an opportunity to reflect on what we achieved—or what...

It is a great pleasure to take part in this debate. It is a bit like the Economic Affairs Committee 2024-25 reunion tour, with added guest stars. I was a member of the committee, and preparing for the debate gave me an opportunity to reflect on what we achieved—or what...

My Lords—

My Lords—

My noble friend will be aware that the two key figures projected in the OBR report are the future course of income in the form of taxation and expenditure. There is a high degree of uncertainty about both those projections, and yet under our fiscal rules, the Government are using...

My noble friend will be aware that the two key figures projected in the OBR report are the future course of income in the form of taxation and expenditure. There is a high degree of uncertainty about both those projections, and yet under our fiscal rules, the Government are using...

I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Kempsell, on his excellent, informative and measured maiden speech. I am sure he will be an asset to the House. I mainly want to question the Government about their proposals on national insurance, which are clearly a major part of the Budget and have...

I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Kempsell, on his excellent, informative and measured maiden speech. I am sure he will be an asset to the House. I mainly want to question the Government about their proposals on national insurance, which are clearly a major part of the Budget and have...

It is a great pleasure to follow my noble friend Lady Lister of Burtersett. In her usual meticulous manner, she made a series of detailed points. I will just make a couple of relatively straightforward points on pensions.

There is a touch of unreality about this discussion, because I received notification...

It is a great pleasure to follow my noble friend Lady Lister of Burtersett. In her usual meticulous manner, she made a series of detailed points. I will just make a couple of relatively straightforward points on pensions.

There is a touch of unreality about this discussion, because I received notification...

My Lords, I feel obliged to make a contribution. As I said last year, if I was on “Mastermind” my specialist subject would be the GMP. I was waiting to pounce on the Minister if he missed anything out, but he provided a very comprehensive— I leave it to others...

My Lords, I feel obliged to make a contribution. As I said last year, if I was on “Mastermind” my specialist subject would be the GMP. I was waiting to pounce on the Minister if he missed anything out, but he provided a very comprehensive— I leave it to others...

My Lords, when I first put my name down for this debate, I did so in order to get extremely angry about the announcement in the Autumn Statement on the end of free prescriptions for certain benefit claimants. However, thanks to the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of London, I...

My Lords, when I first put my name down for this debate, I did so in order to get extremely angry about the announcement in the Autumn Statement on the end of free prescriptions for certain benefit claimants. However, thanks to the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of London, I...

My Lords, we have had presented in the gracious Speech a Potemkin village of a legislative programme: facades with no substance, performative legislation driven solely by the Prime Minister’s perception of short-term and shoddy political advantage. Others have and will deal with the egregious examples of poor and ill-considered legislation...

My Lords, we have had presented in the gracious Speech a Potemkin village of a legislative programme: facades with no substance, performative legislation driven solely by the Prime Minister’s perception of short-term and shoddy political advantage. Others have and will deal with the egregious examples of poor and ill-considered legislation...

My Lords, this order is routine and has little practical impact on the PPF. The levy that is currently payable is only 16% of the cap set by the order. However, having it before us provides an opportunity to discuss the operation of what is becoming—a bit under the radar—one...

My Lords, this order is routine and has little practical impact on the PPF. The levy that is currently payable is only 16% of the cap set by the order. However, having it before us provides an opportunity to discuss the operation of what is becoming—a bit under the radar—one...

I thank the Minister for his detailed and considered response to what I have certainly found a useful debate. I just need to say that I do not think that the issue will go away. As I suggested, the attrition of members’ benefits will continue, and pressure to do something...

I thank the Minister for his detailed and considered response to what I have certainly found a useful debate. I just need to say that I do not think that the issue will go away. As I suggested, the attrition of members’ benefits will continue, and pressure to do something...

Lords motion to take note of the Pension Protection Fund and Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) (No. 2) Order 2023, given the impact of current increases in the cost of living on pensions payable by the Pension Protection Fund. Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to take note of the Pension Protection Fund and Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) (No. 2) Order 2023, given the impact of current increases in the cost of living on pensions payable by the Pension Protection Fund. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, it is a pleasure to take part in this important debate and particularly to hear the maiden speech from the noble Baroness, Lady Moyo. I am sure that she will be an asset to the debates in the House, even if I do not necessarily always agree with...

My Lords, it is a pleasure to take part in this important debate and particularly to hear the maiden speech from the noble Baroness, Lady Moyo. I am sure that she will be an asset to the debates in the House, even if I do not necessarily always agree with...

My Lords, I, too, welcome the noble Viscount to our deliberations. He was possibly here as a Whip last year. I took the opportunity to look again at what I said then and, in fact, it would be possible for me to repeat what I said for the benefit of...

My Lords, I, too, welcome the noble Viscount to our deliberations. He was possibly here as a Whip last year. I took the opportunity to look again at what I said then and, in fact, it would be possible for me to repeat what I said for the benefit of...

Yes, I agree. In the Commons, the Pensions Minister said:

“Under the Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2023, there will be an increase of 3% paid by occupational pension schemes, which means that that part of the GMP will increase by 3% from April 2023.”

The important bit is this:

“The 3% cap...

Yes, I agree. In the Commons, the Pensions Minister said:

“Under the Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2023, there will be an increase of 3% paid by occupational pension schemes, which means that that part of the GMP will increase by 3% from April 2023.”

The important bit is this:

“The 3% cap...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Allan of Hallam, for raising this issue today. As he says, this debate is extremely timely. I have to say that I am a bit surprised and disappointed that so few speakers have signed up for this debate. It is obviously for...

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Allan of Hallam, for raising this issue today. As he says, this debate is extremely timely. I have to say that I am a bit surprised and disappointed that so few speakers have signed up for this debate. It is obviously for...