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Pensions Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2)

It will clearly vary from individual to individual, but for many people, earning £8,000 or £9,000 is a transitory phase in their labour market experience, and they will move on to earn more than the tax threshold and so come within the scope of the provision. So even if the threshold is not raised, it will not make a lot of difference if someone is not in the scheme for that year. For some people, they or their household will already have pension rights accrued and it might even be right for them to opt out. People will have the chance to opt in to pension provision if it is particularly important for them, and it is right that they should. I accept that there are issues for that group, but for any line drawn one can ask, ““What about the people just below?”” If we enrol people for trivial amounts of money, we will undermine the whole credibility of the scheme. We have now had a whistle-stop tour through half a dozen private pensions issues, and I look forward to hearing hon. Members' comments. I commend new clause 2 to the House.