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Postal Services Bill [HL]

Amendment 40C stands in my name and that of my noble friends Lord Clarke and Lord Hoyle. I was persuaded to put down this amendment because I was contacted by Unite, which is the federation looking after occupational pensioners. It wrote to me to say that pensioners in the Royal Mail were extremely concerned about their future. It believed, quite rightly, that any changes in the Royal Mail pension scheme should not reduce the pension rights of current members of the scheme. The union called Unite therefore believed that there is a need for clarification about what the Government’s proposed changes to the scheme mean for the future rights of members. It points out that the Bill proposes to establish a new statutory scheme run on a pay-as-you-go basis and backed by UK taxpayers, and believes that this represents a significant increase in pension security for the Royal Mail members. However, it tells me that, despite extensive press coverage, many Royal Mail pension plan members are ignorant of the changes potentially causing unnecessary upset and worry, particularly for older pensioners. It has therefore produced this amendment, which is designed to ensure that the people concerned are adequately informed. It wants to ensure that the Secretary of State has to inform all active, deferred and pensioner members of changes. It wants the members affected, if they are to be transferred, to be told about it. It wants all active and deferred members to be told of their accrued rights under the scheme. It wants pensioner members to be informed of details of payments for the new scheme and when they will commence. Quite obviously, it wants members to be informed of the details of the administration of the scheme. It wants to know how the thing works and to ensure that people know all about it so that their worries about the future can be laid to rest. I was very interested in the debate on the previous set of amendments—all very complicated. I made a note of what my noble friend Lord McKenzie said because I was so impressed. He said that member protection is at the core of the Government’s proposals in the Bill. I was glad to hear it because I am sure that that is the view of many of my noble friends on the Front Bench. They are concerned to ensure that members’ rights are fully protected. However, protecting members’ rights also involves ensuring that they are kept adequately informed. The members must know what those rights are and what is being done to ensure that they are always protected. That is what this amendment is all about. It is highly moderate. It does not break any new ground as far as I can see. It is the kind of information that one would expect providers of pensions to make available to the people whom they are endeavouring to cover. I therefore hope that my noble friend the Minister will be able to accept it or something very similar. I beg to move.