My Lords, with the leave of the House, I beg to move the three Motions on the Order Paper standing in the name of my noble friend Lord McKenzie of Luton. Moved, That the draft orders and regulations laid before the House on 7 and 27 February be approved. 11th...

My Lords, with the leave of the House, I beg to move the three Motions on the Order Paper standing in the name of my noble friend Lord McKenzie of Luton. Moved, That the draft orders and regulations laid before the House on 7 and 27 February be approved. 11th...

Draft SI on Pension Protection Fund (pension compensation cap). Draft SI on occupational pension schemes (levies) (amendment). Draft SI on occupational pension schemes (levy ceiling). Lords motion to approve. Agreed to on question (formal).

Draft SI on Pension Protection Fund (pension compensation cap). Draft SI on occupational pension schemes (levies) (amendment). Draft SI on occupational pension schemes (levy ceiling). Lords motion to approve. Agreed to on question (formal).

rose to move, That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2008. The noble Lord said: I shall speak also to the Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 and the Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order...

rose to move, That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2008. The noble Lord said: I shall speak also to the Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 and the Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order...

I start by thanking both noble Lords for their contributions and their support for these three orders, notwithstanding that that support has come with a whole raft of questions which I shall try to answer. I shall deal with as many as I can, but perhaps I may start by...

I start by thanking both noble Lords for their contributions and their support for these three orders, notwithstanding that that support has come with a whole raft of questions which I shall try to answer. I shall deal with as many as I can, but perhaps I may start by...

I am happy to write to the noble Lord with the most up-to-date assessment that we have of what is happening. I visited the Pension Protection Fund on Friday and saw some of the charts that it has on the wall and the plans that it has to deal with...

I am happy to write to the noble Lord with the most up-to-date assessment that we have of what is happening. I visited the Pension Protection Fund on Friday and saw some of the charts that it has on the wall and the plans that it has to deal with...

Although I am extremely grateful for the myriad figures that the Minister has produced, not least on the risk-based element of the levy, I commented towards the end of my few words that it is becoming increasingly difficult for firms who feel obliged to top-up pension schemes in order to...

Although I am extremely grateful for the myriad figures that the Minister has produced, not least on the risk-based element of the levy, I commented towards the end of my few words that it is becoming increasingly difficult for firms who feel obliged to top-up pension schemes in order to...

I am privileged to follow the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, in contributing to these important but slightly technical orders. I concur with much of what he said, but I have some questions for the Minister about the Pension Protection Fund. I concur with the view that the Minister expressed right...

I am privileged to follow the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, in contributing to these important but slightly technical orders. I concur with much of what he said, but I have some questions for the Minister about the Pension Protection Fund. I concur with the view that the Minister expressed right...

Indeed we will see, but Chancellors’ predictions since 1997 have been pretty good. Let us look at the record. We have had a period of continuing growth under this Government that is unprecedented. However, perhaps we should debate these issues on another occasion. The noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, asked about...

Indeed we will see, but Chancellors’ predictions since 1997 have been pretty good. Let us look at the record. We have had a period of continuing growth under this Government that is unprecedented. However, perhaps we should debate these issues on another occasion. The noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, asked about...

If one effect of the risk-based component of the levy is that it encourages schemes to manage their risks better, that is a really good outcome. It is right that some of the shortfalls in outcomes compared with the original estimates for some of the levies arise because the schemes...

If one effect of the risk-based component of the levy is that it encourages schemes to manage their risks better, that is a really good outcome. It is right that some of the shortfalls in outcomes compared with the original estimates for some of the levies arise because the schemes...

I am grateful to the Minister for introducing these three orders together—which, of course, is exactly what he and I debated at roughly this time last year. But I think that I will yet again have to make a suggestion, as I did on some uprating orders the other day,...

I am grateful to the Minister for introducing these three orders together—which, of course, is exactly what he and I debated at roughly this time last year. But I think that I will yet again have to make a suggestion, as I did on some uprating orders the other day,...

The Minister is looking through only one end of the telescope. My concern is that it benefits no one if such an operation brings the firm in question closer to bankruptcy.

The Minister is looking through only one end of the telescope. My concern is that it benefits no one if such an operation brings the firm in question closer to bankruptcy.

We will see.

We will see.

I was trying to keep up with the figures, which obviously is difficult because the process is complicated and the picture changes all the time, but it would be very helpful if the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, and I could get written confirmation of the latest available figures for the...

I was trying to keep up with the figures, which obviously is difficult because the process is complicated and the picture changes all the time, but it would be very helpful if the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, and I could get written confirmation of the latest available figures for the...

It would be odd to do something simply to try to reduce the levy. If there are risks in the scheme and the employer is a sponsoring employer with responsibility for that scheme, it is entirely reasonable that the employer should direct their attention to how that scheme can be...

It would be odd to do something simply to try to reduce the levy. If there are risks in the scheme and the employer is a sponsoring employer with responsibility for that scheme, it is entirely reasonable that the employer should direct their attention to how that scheme can be...

Draft Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2008. Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question. Debated with draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008; draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order 2008. Grand Committee held in the Moses Room.

Draft Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2008. Lords debate on a motion to consider. Agreed to on question. Debated with draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008; draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order 2008. Grand Committee held in the Moses Room.

Draft SIs on Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2008; Offender Management Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2008; Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order 2008; Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008; Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2008; Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2008; Rail Vehicle Accessibility (B2007 Vehicles) Exemption Order 2008; Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board (Prescribed Day) Order 2008. Motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

Draft SIs on Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2008; Offender Management Act 2007 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2008; Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order 2008; Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008; Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2008; Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2008;...

Draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order 2008; Draft Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2008; Draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008. Considered by Delegated Legislation Committee. Minutes of proceedings at UP 7 2007-08.

Draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order 2008; Draft Pension Protection Fund (Pension Compensation Cap) Order 2008; Draft Occupational Pension Schemes (Levies) (Amendment) Regulations 2008. Considered by Delegated Legislation Committee. Minutes of proceedings at UP 7 2007-08.

My Lords, I beg to move the other 11 Motions standing in my name on the Order Paper. Moved, That the draft orders and regulations be referred to a Grand Committee. 10th, 11th and 12th reports from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.—(Baroness Ashton of Upholland.) On Question, Motions agreed...

My Lords, I beg to move the other 11 Motions standing in my name on the Order Paper. Moved, That the draft orders and regulations be referred to a Grand Committee. 10th, 11th and 12th reports from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments.—(Baroness Ashton of Upholland.) On Question, Motions agreed...

Draft SI on Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board (prescribed day). Draft SI on Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (investigations in England Wales and Northern Ireland: code of practice). Draft SI on Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (cash searches: code of practice). Draft SI on Serious Crime Act 2007 (amendment of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002). Draft SI on Criminal Justice Act 1988 (offensive weapons) (amendment). Draft SI on local involvement networks (duty of services-providers to allow entry). Draft SI on Pension Protection Fund (pension compensation cap). Draft SI on occupational pension schemes (levies) (amendment). Draft SI on occupational pension schemes (levy ceiling). Draft SI on rail vehicle accessibility (B2007 vehicles) exemption. Draft SI on Offender Management Act 2007 (consequential amendments). Lords motion that the draft orders and regulations be referred to a Grand Committee. Agreed to on question (formal).

Draft SI on Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board (prescribed day). Draft SI on Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (investigations in England Wales and Northern Ireland: code of practice). Draft SI on Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (cash searches: code of practice). Draft SI on Serious Crime Act 2007 (amendment...

Draft SI on pension protection fund (pension compensation cap). (Affirmative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Department for Work and Pensions. Approved by Parliament. Made 27 March 2008 (SI 2008/909). Coming into force 1 April 2008. Revokes SI 2007/989.

Draft SI on pension protection fund (pension compensation cap). (Affirmative instrument). Together with an explanatory memorandum from the Department for Work and Pensions. Approved by Parliament. Made 27 March 2008 (SI 2008/909). Coming into force 1 April 2008. Revokes SI 2007/989.