Pensions Bill [Lords]

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Monday 20th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab)]

You have gone on a lot about ideological things, but is it ideologically bonkers to fight for a fair deal for women who have made the sacrifices that you are talking about? They have sacrificed for their country, for their families—

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

Order. Unfortunately, I am not responsible, so it is not “you”. I am sure the hon. Gentleman did not mean that.

[Alex Cunningham]

I beg your pardon, Mr Deputy Speaker. Is it “ideological” for us to stick up for women who have had a raw deal through life looking after their families and doing a low-paid job, but who now find out they have to work even longer for a pittance of a pension?

--- Later in debate ---

[Priti Patel]

I am going to close my remarks shortly, so I hope that the hon. Lady will forgive me if I do not take her intervention.

I want to touch briefly on auto-enrolment. We know that millions of people are not putting aside anywhere near enough money for their retirement. I was previously an employer, including of young graduates. On starting their working lives, they do not think about retirement, saving for their pensions or anything of that nature. Although auto-enrolment was started by the previous Government, it is a good thing, and we really have to get on with it. This is about a culture change to people’s understanding of the need to save, and of how much they need to save, for their retirement. It is not about one lump sum. It is about what they expect to get out of retirement and their potential quality of life.

To conclude, I think that these reforms are welcome and long overdue. The changes to the state pension age and auto-enrolment will lead almost to a cultural revolution and a transformation of the pensions and savings culture in our society. That is a welcome step forward.

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)]

I remind the next speaker that she must finish by 9.30 pm.