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Pensions Bill

I am disappointed in the Minister. The Government seem quite prepared to heap unnecessary burdens on employers, whom they view largely as ““coercive”” and ““abusive””, words that have recurred today. Here I am trying to impose a small burden on employers—not my normal wont—in order that employees are reminded of their rights and obligations in relation to pensions. I urge the Minister to think again on this. While I accept that an employee can opt out under existing pension legislation in the context of the Bill, which is trying to draw people back in all the time to ensure that they understand what their rights and obligations are, it is right to specify the terms on which they can opt out, to remind them of the consequences of opting out and to remind them of the automatic re-enrolment process that will come and hit them within three years in any event. It is not enough just to say that they can opt out at any time and good luck to them; that is not the tenor of the approach to employees throughout the rest of the Bill, which is to try to keep them drawn into the scheme and to make it difficult for them to stop saving. For today, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 8 [Workers without qualifying earnings]: [Amendment No. 36 not moved.]