Local Government Reorganisation

Debate between Baroness Stedman-Scott and Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

Monday 7th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend. I do not think it is helpful for me to comment on individual areas. However, he is right to point to the focus on growth. There were three main focuses that we looked at: the potential for growth and making sure we could achieve that across the country; ensuring that the key services delivered by local government are protected and supported going forward, including those for vulnerable people; and the issue of community identity which the noble Baroness, Lady Pinnock, mentioned.

Wherever we looked at those issues, there were different opinions in different areas, which is why we stuck very firmly to the criteria we set ourselves. The growth criteria came in the first criteria, and we looked at all of the proposals before us in respect of that. But we must not make any bones about the fact that we need to change things to get the growth we want to see. That involves making sure local government is enabled to drive that growth forward in the way it is organised, and that we have the devolution so that people who are taking decisions about growth, the economy and key services in their local areas are in that local area and have some skin in the game in relation to the decisions being taken.

[Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con)]

My Lords, when the elections take place next year, what period will the people elected serve? Will it be one year, two years, three years or four years?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

For elections that take place next year, if the programme works through as we anticipate it will, the shadow elections will be in 2028.

Local Government Pension Fund

Debate between Baroness Stedman-Scott and Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

Monday 18th May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I am always trying to make sure that things happen in months rather than years. It is not as easy as I might have thought it was, but we do endeavour to do that. Regulations on governance, pooling and investment will be laid at the end of this month. They are expected to enter into force at the end of June. These will be made using powers under the Pension Schemes Act 2026, which, as we all know, received Royal Assent on 29 April this year. Guidance on governance, investment strategy statements and pooling will be published in advance of the regulations entering into force.

[Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con)]

My Lords, what assessment have the Government made of so-called lifestyling pension strategies, also known as target date or pathway funds, where savers are automatically moved out of growth assets and into gilts and bonds as they approach retirement, often without actively choosing to do so or fully understanding the impact of the switch?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

That is very important, and the new system is partly to make sure that the fiduciary duty is undertaken by scheme managers and by the democratic oversight that these schemes have. I hope that all those involved in the Local Government Pension Scheme will take that responsibility as seriously as they always have. I was on a pensions committee for many years. We always took that very seriously because the whole purpose of the scheme is to make sure that people get what they are entitled to once they retire.