I think that the number is somewhere in the briefing and I hope that by the time I finish this response it will appear from the Box. I want to deal with the assumed rate of interest on savings, which can sometimes be taken out of context. As the noble...

I think that the number is somewhere in the briefing and I hope that by the time I finish this response it will appear from the Box. I want to deal with the assumed rate of interest on savings, which can sometimes be taken out of context. As the noble...

I thank the noble Lord for that figure. Of course, those estimates really mean that between one-third and two-fifths of pensioners do not receive the pension credit to which they are entitled. Perhaps I may ask him for a specific figure. The point that he made related to the disregard...

I thank the noble Lord for that figure. Of course, those estimates really mean that between one-third and two-fifths of pensioners do not receive the pension credit to which they are entitled. Perhaps I may ask him for a specific figure. The point that he made related to the disregard...

That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Christmas Bonus (Specified Sum) Order 2008. This order is made under Sections 148 and 175 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. Its purpose is to award a one-off payment of £60 to provide...

That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Christmas Bonus (Specified Sum) Order 2008. This order is made under Sections 148 and 175 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. Its purpose is to award a one-off payment of £60 to provide...

The Committee will be grateful, although doubtless not as grateful as pensioners and those on the specified social security benefits, for the noble Lord’s explanation of this beneficent order which, for one year only, raises the annual Christmas bonus from £10 to £70, but in two chunks. There is £10...

The Committee will be grateful, although doubtless not as grateful as pensioners and those on the specified social security benefits, for the noble Lord’s explanation of this beneficent order which, for one year only, raises the annual Christmas bonus from £10 to £70, but in two chunks. There is £10...

The noble Lord is right; I was dealing with the broader point that the noble Lord was pressing about the adequacy of the basic state pension. I was seeking to address the issue of where the Government direct their resources.

The noble Lord is right; I was dealing with the broader point that the noble Lord was pressing about the adequacy of the basic state pension. I was seeking to address the issue of where the Government direct their resources.

I start by sharing with the Committee an acute observation that my noble friend Lady Walmsley has just made. She is sitting here patiently waiting until the Committee comes to her order, and I am sorry that our proceedings have rather dragged on today. She points out that the fact...

I start by sharing with the Committee an acute observation that my noble friend Lady Walmsley has just made. She is sitting here patiently waiting until the Committee comes to her order, and I am sorry that our proceedings have rather dragged on today. She points out that the fact...

I thank both noble Lords for their welcome and support for the order. Each reflected on the fact that it will be paid in two chunks and that the £60 will not be paid until between January and March. That is a logistical issue; obviously if it had been possible...

I thank both noble Lords for their welcome and support for the order. Each reflected on the fact that it will be paid in two chunks and that the £60 will not be paid until between January and March. That is a logistical issue; obviously if it had been possible...

I thank the noble Lord for giving way. While we are on that point, can he give us the latest estimate of the number of pensioners who are not claiming the pension credit to which they would be entitled? I believe that the latest figure I saw was 1.8 million....

I thank the noble Lord for giving way. While we are on that point, can he give us the latest estimate of the number of pensioners who are not claiming the pension credit to which they would be entitled? I believe that the latest figure I saw was 1.8 million....

Clearly, with interest rates at a lower level, the rate will have gone down. However, the key point is that most people do not have £6,000-worth of savings and do not come within the tariff, and therefore the interest that they receive is effectively ignored in this calculation. I do...

Clearly, with interest rates at a lower level, the rate will have gone down. However, the key point is that most people do not have £6,000-worth of savings and do not come within the tariff, and therefore the interest that they receive is effectively ignored in this calculation. I do...

Is that not a slightly different point? The point about the order and the benefits that flow from it is that they are universal benefits—in other words, they go to taxpayers and non-taxpayers.

Is that not a slightly different point? The point about the order and the benefits that flow from it is that they are universal benefits—in other words, they go to taxpayers and non-taxpayers.

Draft Christmas Bonus (Specified Sum) Order 2008. Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question. Grand Committee held in the Moses Room.

Draft Christmas Bonus (Specified Sum) Order 2008. Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question. Grand Committee held in the Moses Room.

Pensions Bill. Programme motion (No 2) on proceedings on consideration of Lords amendments and subsequent stages. Agreed to on division (327 votes to 175). Lords amendments considered. Lords amendments agreed to.

Pensions Bill. Programme motion (No 2) on proceedings on consideration of Lords amendments and subsequent stages. Agreed to on division (327 votes to 175). Lords amendments considered. Lords amendments agreed to.

I beg to move, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

I beg to move, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

Does not the Minister see that having that sword of Damocles hanging over their heads might make employers, especially rogue employers and those who are less keen to comply with what the Government want to do, more inclined to go for the lowest common denominator pension scheme?

Does not the Minister see that having that sword of Damocles hanging over their heads might make employers, especially rogue employers and those who are less keen to comply with what the Government want to do, more inclined to go for the lowest common denominator pension scheme?

I shall try to tailor my remarks, because although this is an important group of amendments, which deals with some important issues, we are subject to time constraints—which, of course, were imposed by the Government. I join the Minister in thanking everybody who made going through this process such a...

I shall try to tailor my remarks, because although this is an important group of amendments, which deals with some important issues, we are subject to time constraints—which, of course, were imposed by the Government. I join the Minister in thanking everybody who made going through this process such a...

I would like to take this opportunity to thank parliamentary counsel for all the work that they have done on the Bill. I understand that the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) once feared ““death by seminar””. I hope that he has not felt that tonight's debate was ““death by...

I would like to take this opportunity to thank parliamentary counsel for all the work that they have done on the Bill. I understand that the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) once feared ““death by seminar””. I hope that he has not felt that tonight's debate was ““death by...

I, too, welcome the Minister to her new role. Picking up a complicated Bill after Committee, Report and Third Reading cannot be the easiest thing to do. However, as other hon. Members have said, there has been constructive engagement among all the parties—the parties in this House and stakeholders outside—on...

I, too, welcome the Minister to her new role. Picking up a complicated Bill after Committee, Report and Third Reading cannot be the easiest thing to do. However, as other hon. Members have said, there has been constructive engagement among all the parties—the parties in this House and stakeholders outside—on...

I join others in congratulating those in the other place on all their hard work. I especially congratulate my colleagues, Lord Oakeshott, Lord Kirkwood and Lord Thomas, and hon. Members here on the work they have done on a mammoth Bill, which is now coming to a close. In her...

I join others in congratulating those in the other place on all their hard work. I especially congratulate my colleagues, Lord Oakeshott, Lord Kirkwood and Lord Thomas, and hon. Members here on the work they have done on a mammoth Bill, which is now coming to a close. In her...

It is a great pleasure to be debating the Pensions Bill again as it moves majestically towards the statute book. As the Minister kindly said, it is good to see the hon. and learned Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien) in his place. He is clearly a sad person because...

It is a great pleasure to be debating the Pensions Bill again as it moves majestically towards the statute book. As the Minister kindly said, it is good to see the hon. and learned Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien) in his place. He is clearly a sad person because...

Today, we enter the final stages of this landmark Bill, which will transform the saving habits of millions of people in the country. Before we begin this final debate, I should like to pay tribute to my hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate...

Today, we enter the final stages of this landmark Bill, which will transform the saving habits of millions of people in the country. Before we begin this final debate, I should like to pay tribute to my hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate...