Draft Judicial Pensions (Remediable Service etc.) Regulations 2023

Kirsten Oswald Excerpts

Wednesday 14th June 2023 General Committees

[Kirsten Oswald (East Renfrewshire) (SNP)]

I am grateful to the Minister for the way he set out the SI, which is quite technical. I did not think that what was said was dry. It is true that there is quite a lot of information, as we have just heard, but I was grateful for his efforts to talk us through the regulations. It is understood that consultation has taken place, and I would like to hear a bit more about that.

I know that the SI has absolutely nothing to do with the Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign, but it is interesting that this pensions issue is moving forward with a consultation, with haste and with good communications. All those things are really important. I suspect that any WASPI women watching the debate might contrast that with their experience. None the less, it is really important to rectify issues of discrimination, and as there clearly has been age discrimination, the measures to remedy it must be welcomed.

The points made about spouses and partners, particularly given the passage of time, are important. The Minister said that he intends for the options exercise to run as soon as possible. Given the passage of time and the subject matter, that seems very sensible. I would be keen to hear the Minister’s answers to my questions, but I do not see anything to oppose in what has been said.