Public Service Pensions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: HM Treasury

Public Service Pensions

Fiona Mactaggart Excerpts
Tuesday 20th December 2011

(12 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Danny Alexander Portrait Danny Alexander
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Sadly, the answer to that question is that no such proposals whatsoever have been received.

Fiona Mactaggart Portrait Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab)
- Hansard - -

I am disappointed that despite a number of written questions from me and the questions put today, the Chief Secretary cannot do better than the OBR estimate of 1% of the pay bill in respect of reduced contributions. In his statement, however, he said that the Government would “review the impact of next year’s increases, including on opt-outs and equality”. Does that mean he will tell us in a report to the House about the impact of these changes on equality so that we can know whether or not his confidence that this is a good deal for women is true?

Danny Alexander Portrait Danny Alexander
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for picking up on that point. We will certainly look at the impact on opt-outs of the first year’s contribution increase. That will allow us to make adjustments to how we deliver the increase in years 2 and 3. I will be happy to share the relevant evidence in an appropriate form, perhaps in a statement or debate in the House.