UK Parliament / Open data

Saving Gateway Accounts Bill

I quite agree with my right hon. Friend. We would like the scheme to work, because we agree with the broad aim and we would like to assist people who could qualify under it, but throughout the process Ministers have been completely wooden. They will not tell us who will introduce the scheme, how much the fees and costs will be, what the interest rate would be if it were launched today or how much the amendment will cost, because they clearly do not know whether the scheme will be popular and take off. Indeed, how can they know that if they have done none of the homework on whether the scheme makes sense for the people concerned? Indeed, if the Government are not careful, they will be guilty of mis-selling, because one cannot come to a conclusion about whether the proposed scheme is a suitable savings scheme for people on low incomes and benefits unless one knows the answers to some of the questions that I and others have been putting. Therefore, at this late stage, can the Treasury and the Minister redeem themselves by giving the House some information so that we can willingly approve the scheme and know that it might do some good?

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

495 c415 

Session

2008-09

Chamber / Committee

House of Commons chamber
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