UK Parliament / Open data

Pensions Bill

Proceeding contribution from Lord Whitty (Labour) in the House of Lords on Monday, 20 January 2014. It occurred during Debate on bills and Committee proceeding on Pensions Bill.

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister, at least for his quote from the consultation of the Pensions Regulator, which recognises that growth may well not be considered in the same way by certain non-profit organisations, including charities. However, I find the Minister’s conclusion from that to be slightly illogical. If he is correct and pension fund administrators in the not-for-profit sectors look at this apparent

protection and do not interpret growth or have it as an aspiration in the same way that commercially driven organisations do—the strength of not-for-profit organisations will relate to their objectives, not to a growth objective—I do not really see a problem for the Government in extending the phrase in the Bill, thereby ensuring that the position of not-for-profit organisations is covered.

The somewhat convoluted way in which the Pensions Regulator’s consultation is spelt out does not convey that. I ask the Minister to take this issue away and consider whether it would not be easier to make this minor amendment rather than to have a convoluted explanation that belied the text of the Act, or perhaps retain both “sustainability” and “sustainable growth”. It is a fairly simple point but it would make clearer the position of a lot of charities and other not-for-profit organisations. However, I will leave that with the Minister and, in the mean time, beg leave to withdraw the amendment.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

751 cc295-6GC 

Session

2013-14

Chamber / Committee

House of Lords Grand Committee

Legislation

Pensions Bill 2013-14
Back to top