Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill

Debate between Gregg McClymont and Jo Swinson

Wednesday 17th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Jo Swinson]

I thank hon. Members who have taken part in this debate. I note the point made by the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) that I spoke at length at the beginning of the debate. I wanted to ensure that I covered all the issues raised and to be fair to Members in taking all interventions offered, which is the spirit in which I have approached the debate. That obviously meant that my remarks were rather lengthy.

I want to respond to the points raised in the debate, because hon. Members are keen to get to the next business. The hon. Member for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray)—the shadow Minister—queried clause 13 and said that it would hit middle earners, but I fear that his analysis of the situation reinforces unrealistic expectations. The average award at an employment tribunal is less than £5,000. In reality, only 0.3% of unfair dismissal claimants are awarded more than the annual salary. The purpose of the measure is to provide additional certainty and to help challenge those unrealistic expectations, but he has not characterised it entirely fairly.

[Gregg McClymont]

Will the Minister give way?

[Jo Swinson]

I will give way to the hon. Gentleman, but I remind him that Labour Members are also keen to get to the next business.

[Gregg McClymont]

If the average award is around £5,000, why is there a rush to get rid of the system?

Pensions Bill [Lords]

Debate between Gregg McClymont and Jo Swinson

Tuesday 18th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD)]

I welcome my neighbour to his first appearance at the Dispatch Box. Given what he has just said about his party believing that this is not too high a price to pay, and given that the changes are not coming in and affecting those women until 2019-20, is he making a commitment today that were Labour to win the next election, the changes would be reversed?

[Gregg McClymont]

We are clear that we cannot have constant changes in pensions legislation. One of the problems that we face is precisely that— constant chopping and changing of the timetable, so we will vote for our amendments tonight in the hope that in their wisdom the Government will accept them. In that case we will all be happy, or at least those of us on the Opposition Benches.