Caroline Nokes
MP for Romsey and Southampton North · Conservative · United Kingdom
“I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his point of order. He will be conscious that there are in the region of 15 more Members wishing to speak in this debate, and we have not yet heard from the Minister, so I am not minded to accept a closure motion at this point.”
“(3) For paragraph (3A) substitute— “(3A) The returning officer shall also provide each polling station with such equipment as is necessary to ensure that relevant persons are able to vote independently and in secret, including— (a) tactile equipment that enables the voter to navigate the ballot paper and accurately mark their chosen candi…”
“(2) During the period commencing 30 minutes before the time appointed for the taking of a poll at an election, and ending 30 minutes after the close of the said poll, a person shall not, in or in the curtilage of a polling station or in any place within 50 metres of such station, for the purpose of promoting the interest of a political pa…”
“New clause 97— Power of Electoral Commission to require disclosure from financial institutions — “In Schedule 19B of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (investigatory powers of Commission), after paragraph 1 insert— “Power to require disclosure from financial institutions 1A(1) The Commission may give a disclosure n…”
“() In paragraph 6 of schedule 6 (Donations from impermissible donors), after “section 54(1)(a)” insert— “or section 55B.” (8) In Schedule 20, in Table after Section 56(3) or (4) (failure to return donations) On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months On indictment: fine or 1 year” Insert— Section 55A(8) (cap on donations) On sum…”
“(2) The specified elections for the purposes of subsection (1) are— (a) UK parliamentary elections, and (b) local government elections in England and Wales.”
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“(6) The rules and regulations under subsections (4) and (5) must come into force no later than the date on which regulations pursuant to section 41A(6A) of the Pensions Act 1995 (as amended by this Act) come into force.” This new clause would require Government and the FCA to make regulations and rules restricting exposure of some occupational and workplace personal schemes to thermal coal investments and to regularly review whether the restrictions should be extended to other fossil fuel investments. New clause 20— Pensions and savings advice allowance — “(1) The Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for a tax-free pensions and savings advice allowance which individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 can withdraw from their pensions to access financial advice.”
“(6D) Regulations under subsection (1) may implement the conclusions of the review referred to in (6C).” (3) In subsection (8), at end insert— ““thermal coal” means coal and lignite used in the generation of electricity and in providing heat for industrial or residential purposes; “issuance” means all investable assets, including equity and debt.” (4) The Financial Conduct Authority must make general rules with effects corresponding to the provisions of subsection (1) for providers of pension schemes to which Part 7A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (inserted by section 48 of this Act) applies. (5) The Secretary of State must make regulations with effects corresponding to the provisions of subsection (1) for scheme managers of the Local Government Pension Scheme.”
“(6C) Within 2 years of the Pensions Act 2025 receiving Royal Assent, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary of State must carry out and publish a review on whether the definition of relevant assets should be extended to include— (a) issuance by issuers which, in relation to thermal coal, derive a smaller proportion of revenue, produce a smaller amount or have a smaller amount of power generation capacity than the proportion and amounts specified in (6B), (b) some or all new issuance by issuers of a prescribed description deriving a prescribed proportion or amount of their revenue from the extraction, transport, trading or combustion of prescribed fossil fuels, or (c) some or all new or existing issuance by issuers of a prescribed description investing a prescribed proportion or amount in exploring for, or expanding the extraction of, prescribed fossil fuels.”
“(6B) The relevant assets in subsection (6A) are issuance by issuers which, in relation to thermal coal— (a) derive 10% or more of annual revenue from its production, transport or combustion, (b) produce annually 10 million tonnes or more, or (c) have 5GW or more of power generation capacity.”
“(3) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the report before both Houses of Parliament.” This new clause requires the Secretary of State to report on whether the PPF and FAS should provide indexation on compensation in respect of pre-1997 rights, where scheme rules provided for that. New clause 19— Fossil fuels and climate change risk — “(1) The Pensions Act 1995 is amended as follows. (2) In section 41A (Climate change risk), after subsection (6) insert— “(6A) Regulations under subsection (1) must, within 1 year of the Pension Schemes Act 2025 receiving Royal Assent, prohibit the trustees or managers of schemes of a prescribed description from holding relevant assets.”
“New clause 18— Report on indexation of pre-1997 benefits — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, publish a report on whether the Pension Protection Fund and the Financial Assistance Scheme should provide indexation on compensation in respect of pre-1997 rights, where pension schemes provided for that. (2) The report must consider— (a) the potential benefits for affected pensioners; (b) approaches of occupational pension schemes to indexation of pre-1997 benefits; (c) the impact on compensation schemes’ surpluses and on public finances; (d) international approaches to indexation of legacy pension benefits.”
“(5) The rules and regulations under subsections (3) and (4) must come into force no later than the date on which regulations pursuant to section 36(10) of the Pensions Act 1995 (as amended by this Act) come into force.” This new clause gives the Secretary of State a duty to make regulations clarifying investment duties of occupational pension schemes, including system-level considerations and other matters including impacts of investee firms, beneficiaries’ standards of living and views. It also imposes duties on the FCA and the Secretary of State to make corresponding rules and regulations for workplace personal pension schemes and the Local Government Pension Scheme respectively.”
“(13) In complying with requirements imposed by this section and regulations, a trustee or manager must have regard to guidance prepared from time to time by the Secretary of State.” (3) The Financial Conduct Authority must make general rules with effects corresponding to the provisions of subsection (1) for providers of pension schemes to which Part 7A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (inserted by section 48 of this Act) applies. (4) The Secretary of State must make regulations with effects corresponding to the provisions of subsection (1) for scheme managers of the Local Government Pension Scheme.”
“(11) For the purposes of this section, “system-level considerations” means, over the appropriate time horizon, risks and opportunities relevant to the scheme that— (a) cannot be fully managed through diversification alone, and (b) arise from circumstances at the level of one or more economic sectors, financial markets or economies, including but not limited to those relating to environmental or social matters. (12) Regulations under subsection (1) must come into force no more than one year after the passing of the Pension Schemes Act 2025.”
“(2) In section 36 (Choosing investments), after subsection (9), insert— “(10) Regulations under subsection (1) must provide— (a) that when interpreting the best interest or sole interests of members and beneficiaries for the purposes of this section and the regulations, the trustees of a trust scheme may (amongst other matters) take the following into account— (i) system-level considerations, (ii) the reasonably foreseeable impacts over the appropriate time horizon of the assets or organisations in which the trust scheme invests upon prescribed matters, including upon members’ and beneficiaries’ standards of living, and (iii) the views of members and beneficiaries; (b) that investment powers or discretions must be exercised in a manner that considers and manages the matters specified in subsection (10)(a)(i) and (ii) where they are financially material; and (c) a prescribed definition of the term “appropriate time horizon” for these purposes.”
“(2) The report must examine the case of employees and former employees of Fife Joinery Manufacturing (a subsidiary of Velux), including— (a) whether affected workers were provided with opportunity to join existing pension schemes, (b) the adequacy of record-keeping and employer accountability, and (c) potential remedies to ensure equal access to workplace pensions.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to report on the Velux Pensions case. New clause 17— Clarification of pension scheme investment duties — “(1) The Pensions Act 1995 is amended as follows.”
“(5) Within three months of publication, the Secretary of State must publish the Government’s response to the review’s findings.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to commission an independent review into the treatment of members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme, including the handling of scheme reserves and future surplus-sharing arrangements. New clause 16— Report on Pension Scheme Eligibility and Access — “(1) The Secretary of State shall, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, lay before Parliament a report into the operation of occupational pension schemes where certain categories of employees have been excluded on the basis of job classification or employment start date.”
“(3) The person or body appointed to conduct the review must— (a) be independent of the Government and the BCSSS Trustees, (b) possess relevant expertise in pensions law and scheme administration, and (c) consult with affected members, Trustees, pension experts, and stakeholder organisations. (4) The review must report to the Secretary of State within 12 months of being commissioned, and the Secretary of State must lay the report before Parliament and publish it in full.”
“New clause 15— Independent review into the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within three months of the passing of this Act, commission an independent review into the treatment of members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS). (2) The review must consider— (a) the origin and operation of the Government’s surplus-sharing arrangements with the BCSSS since 1994, (b) the adequacy of communication to scheme members regarding the use of surpluses, (c) the impact of the Government’s retention of scheme reserves on members’ retirement income, (d) representations made by the Trustees of the BCSSS calling for reserves to be released to members, and (e) options for reforming how any future surpluses in the BCSSS are shared between the Government and scheme members.”
“New clause 14— Cap on cost of advice for pension holders — “(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations introduce a cap on the cost recoverable for providing pension advice per pension holder under any scheme operating free or subsidised advice. (2) The cap may vary depending on— (a) the value of the pension pot; (b) the type of pension scheme; (c) the complexity of advice required. (3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.” This new clause enables the introduction of a cost ceiling for advice provision to members of pension schemes.”
“(2) Regulations may make provision for— (a) identifying under-saving groups, including but not limited to— (i) women, (ii) ethnic minority groups, and (iii) others affected by long-term pay or pension gaps; (b) mechanisms to fund and deliver targeted support; (c) reporting and evaluation requirements to assess take-up and effectiveness. (3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.” This new clause allows for the creation of targeted pension advice or guidance interventions for groups at risk of under-saving for retirement.”
“New clause 12— Section 40 commencement — “(1) The provisions in section 40 shall not come into force except in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State. (2) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (1) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.” This new clause would require that the provisions in clause 40 could only be enacted once agreed through secondary legislation. New clause 13— Targeted Advice Access for Under-Saving Cohorts — “(1) The Secretary of State must make regulations to provide enhanced access to pension advice or guidance for cohorts identified as under-saving for retirement.”
“(6) For the purposes of this section— “state deduction” means any provision within a defined benefit occupational pension scheme that reduces pension entitlements by reference to the member reaching state pension age or by reference to any state pension entitlement; “defined benefit pension scheme” has the meaning given in section 181 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993; “Midland Bank Staff Pension Scheme” includes all associated legacy arrangements and any successor schemes administered by HSBC Bank Pension Trust (UK) Ltd.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to commission an independent review into clawback provisions in occupational defined benefit pension schemes, in particular, the Midland Bank staff pension scheme.”
“(5) Within three months of laying the report before Parliament, the Secretary of State must publish a written response setting out the Government’s proposed actions, if any, in response to the report’s findings and recommendations.”
“(3) The Secretary of State must ensure that the person or body appointed to conduct the review— (a) is independent of HSBC Bank plc and its associated pension schemes; (b) possesses relevant expertise in pensions law, occupational pension scheme administration, and equality and fairness in retirement income; and (c) undertakes appropriate consultation with— (i) affected scheme members, (ii) employee representatives, (iii) pension experts, and (iv) stakeholder organisations. (4) The person or body conducting the review must— (a) submit a report on its findings to the Secretary of State within 12 months of the date the review is commissioned; and (b) the Secretary of State must lay a copy of the report before Parliament and publish the report in full.”
“(2) The review must consider— (a) the origin, rationale and implementation of state deduction in the Midland Bank Staff Pension Scheme, (b) the clarity and adequacy of member communications regarding state deduction from inception to present, (c) the differential impact of state deduction on pensioners with varying salary histories, including an assessment of any disproportionate effects on— (i) lower-paid staff, and (ii) women, (d) comparisons with other occupational pension schemes in the banking and public sectors, and (e) the legal, administrative, and financial feasibility of modifying or removing state deduction provisions, including potential mechanisms for redress.”
“New clause 11— Independent review into state deduction in defined benefit pension schemes — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within three months of the passing of this Act, commission an independent review into the application and impact of state deduction mechanisms in occupational defined benefit pension schemes.”
“(4) The person or panel appointed under subsection (3) must— (a) consult with relevant stakeholders, including— (i) the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO), (ii) survivor pension recipients, (iii) police staff associations, and (iv) pensions experts; (b) consider written and oral evidence submitted by affected individuals; and (c) publish a report of its findings and recommendations within 12 months of appointment.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to commission an independent review into the impact and fairness of provisions within police pension schemes that result in the forfeiture, reduction, or suspension of survivor pensions.”
“(2) The review must examine— (a) the legal and policy basis for such provisions; (b) the financial, social, and emotional impact on affected individuals and families; (c) consistency with other public sector pension schemes, including schemes for— (i) the Armed Forces, (ii) the NHS, and (iii) the civil service; (d) potential options for reform, including retrospective reinstatement of pensions; (e) any other matters the Secretary of State considers relevant. (3) The Secretary of State must— (a) appoint an independent person or panel with relevant legal, pensions, and public policy expertise to conduct the review; and (b) publish the terms of reference no later than three months after this Act is passed.”
“New clause 10— Independent review of forfeiture of survivor pensions in police pension schemes — “(1) The Secretary of State must commission an independent review into the impact and fairness of provisions within police pension schemes that result in the forfeiture, reduction, or suspension of survivor pensions on the grounds of— (a) remarriage or entry into a civil partnership by the surviving partner of a deceased scheme member; or (b) cohabitation with another person as if married or in a civil partnership.”
“(4) Regulations under this section may— (a) make different provision for different descriptions of pension schemes or different descriptions of individuals; (b) confer functions in connection with the provision or oversight of the advice on— (i) the Pensions Regulator, (ii) the Financial Conduct Authority, (iii) the Money and Pensions Service, or (iv) other prescribed bodies; (c) require the provision of funding for the advice service from prescribed sources. (5) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.” This new clause makes provision by regulations for everyone to receive free, impartial pension advice at age 40 and again around five years before their expected retirement.”
“(3) The regulations must make provision about— (a) the content and scope of the free, impartial pension advice, which may include, but is not limited to, guidance on— (i) pension types (including both defined contribution and defined benefit schemes), (ii) investment strategies, (iii) charges, (iv) consolidation of pension pots, and (v) retirement income options; (b) the qualifications, independence, and impartiality requirements for any person or body providing advice; (c) the means by which individuals are notified of their entitlement to receive the advice and how they may access it; (d) the roles and responsibilities of pension scheme trustees, managers, and providers in facilitating access to advice; (e) the sharing member information with prescribed persons or bodies subject to appropriate data protection safeguards.”
“New clause 8— Universal Pension Advice Entitlement — “(1) The Secretary of State must by regulations establish a system to ensure that every individual has a right to receive free, impartial pension advice at prescribed times. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) must provide for individuals to be offered advice— (a) at or around the age of 40; and (b) at a prescribed age, not more than six years before the individual's expected retirement age.”
“(3) In preparing the report, the Secretary of State must consult— (a) the Pensions Regulator, (b) the Pension Protection Fund, (c) representatives of Financial Assistance Scheme members, (d) the Pensions Action Group, and (e) such other stakeholders as the Secretary of State considers appropriate. (4) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the report before both Houses of Parliament.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to publish a report examining options for addressing the lack of indexation on pre-1997 pensionable service in the PPF and FAS, with particular regard to evidence provided by the Pensions Action Group, mortality data, scheme reserves, and the urgency of the issue.”
“(2) The report must consider— (a) the current absence of indexation on pre-1997 accrued rights and the financial impact on affected pensioners; (b) the number of pensioners affected and the mortality rates since the establishment of FAS and PPF, including evidence from the Pensions Action Group; (c) the feasibility of introducing indexation, in full or in part, for pre-1997 rights; (d) the potential use of scheme reserves, including residual funds from failed schemes transferred into the FAS, and the implications for taxpayers; (e) the urgency of reform given the age profile of affected members and the social impact of frozen incomes; (f) alternative funding mechanisms that could deliver indexation without undermining the sustainability of the PPF; and (g) comparative approaches to legacy benefit indexation in other jurisdictions.”
“(3) Regulations under this section— (a) shall be made by statutory instrument, and (b) may not be made unless a draft has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to provide, through regulations, for indexation on PPF and FAS compensation in respect of pre-1997 rights. New clause 7— Report on indexation of pre-1997 Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme benefits — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, publish a report on options for providing indexation to pension rights relating to pre-1997 service in the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) and the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS).”
“(2) Those regulations must specify that— (a) pension payments from the PPF and FAS are increased each year in line with Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation for pensionable service before and after 6 April 1997, (b) where a PPF or FAS member has pensionable service prior to 6 April 1997 which has not increased each year in line with CPI inflation, but which their scheme provided for, the scheme manager must— (i) determine the annual increase attributable to that service for each year since the date on which the annual payment was first payable, and (ii) reimburse the member for the amount determined under paragraph (b)(i), and (c) increased payments must also apply to transferee members, to ill health payments and to payments to surviving dependants.”
“New clause 6— Indexation of pre-1997 service — “(1) The Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for indexation on compensation in respect of pre-1997 rights for members of the Pension Protection Fund and the Financial Assistance Scheme.”
“(2) The review must include an assessment of— (a) the efficacy of investment strategies in delivering social good, and (b) the potential impact of increasing investment in— (i) social housing, and (ii) green technology. (3) For the purposes of this section— “social good” means something which benefits society as a whole, and “green technology” means the use of technology and science to create environmentally-friendly products and services. (4) The Secretary of State must prepare a report of the review and lay a copy of that report before Parliament.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to review the efficacy of investment in terms of delivering social good and the benefits of directing more investment towards social housing and green technology.”
“(2) The review must consider how the investment in defence companies— (a) impacts on, and (b) aligns with, the UK Government’s international obligations. (3) The Secretary of State must prepare a report of the review and lay a copy of that report before Parliament.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to conduct a review into investment in defence companies within Local Government Pension Schemes and how that impacts and aligns with Government international obligations. New clause 5— Review into defined benefit schemes’ social impact — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, carry out a review into the social impact of defined benefit schemes.”
“(4) Regulations under this section must require the Pension Protection Fund and the Financial Assistance Scheme to make the appropriate payment or payments within a specified time of receipt of a valid application.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to provide, by regulations, for the use of a valid SR1 form to make it easier for a person to demonstrate that they are terminally ill for purposes related to compensation from the PPF or FAS. New clause 4— Review into investment in defence companies — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within six months of the passing of this Act, carry out a review into investment in defence companies within Local Government Pension Schemes.”
“(2) In making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must seek to minimise the administrative burden placed upon the person with a terminal illness. (3) Regulations under this section must provide that, where the Department of Work and Pensions (“the Department”) holds a valid SR1 form in respect of a person seeking to demonstrate that they are terminally ill for purposes relating to compensation or assistance from the Pension Protection Fund or Financial Assistance Scheme, the Department must share that form with the Pension Protection Fund or the Financial Assistance Scheme.”
“(3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to set out in regulations a timetable for transferring the whole of the BCSSS investment reserve to members and committing to review how future surplus will be shared. New clause 3— Terminal illness: means of demonstrating eligibility — “(1) The Secretary of State must by regulations make provision about how a person may demonstrate that they are terminally ill for purposes relating to compensation or assistance from the Pension Protection Fund or Financial Assistance Scheme.”
“New clause 2— Transfer of British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme investment reserve to members — “(1) Within 3 months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the transfer of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme investment reserve to members of the scheme. (2) Those regulations must include— (a) a timetable for transferring the total of the investment reserve to members of the scheme, and (b) plans for commissioning an independent review into how future surplus will be shared.”
“(4) The panel must report its findings and recommendations to the Secretary of State and lay a copy of its final report before Parliament within 12 months of its establishment. (5) The Secretary of State must, within 6 months of the publication of the report under subsection (4), lay before both Houses of Parliament a statement setting out the Secretary of State’s response to that outcome.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to commission an independent review into the pension losses incurred by former employees of AEA Technology.”
“(2) The review must examine— (a) the extent and causes of pension losses incurred by affected individuals, (b) the role of Government policy and representations in the transfer of pensions during the privatisation of AEA Technology, (c) the findings of the Public Accounts Committee and the Work and Pensions Select Committee, (d) the adequacy of safeguards provided at the time of privatisation, (e) potential mechanisms for redress or compensation, and (f) the estimated financial cost of any such mechanisms. (3) The review must be— (a) conducted by an independent panel appointed by the Secretary of State, with relevant expertise in pensions, public policy, and administrative justice, and (b) transparent and consultative, including engagement with affected pensioners and their representatives.”
“New clause 1— Independent review into pension losses incurred by former employees of AEA Technology — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within three months of the passing of this Act, commission an independent review into the pension losses incurred by former employees of AEA Technology who— (a) transferred their accrued pension benefits out of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) public service scheme to AEA Technology (AEAT) on privatisation in 1996, and (b) suffered financial losses when AEA Technology went into administration in 2012 and the pension scheme entered the Pension Protection Fund (PPF).”
“With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Government new clause 31— Indexation of periodic compensation for pre-1997 service: Great Britain. Government new clause 32— Indexation of periodic compensation for pre-1997 service: Northern Ireland. Government new clause 33— Financial Assistance Scheme: indexation of payments for pre-1997 service . Government new clause 34— Exemption from public procurement rules . Government new clause 35— Funding of the Board of the Pension Protection Fund .”
“Order. May I just point out that the hon. Member might like to withdraw the choice of word he used to describe the actions of the hon. Member for Clacton?”
“Order. Mr Shannon, this is a very narrow debate, specifically on junction 38 of the M6. I seek an assurance that your intervention relates only to that.”
“Order. Ministers on the Treasury Bench might be more interested in having their private conversations, but it is making it very difficult to hear the hon. Member.”
“Order. The hon. Lady should refer to colleagues not by name, but by constituency. She will, perhaps, think carefully when referring to the hon. Member for Clacton (Nigel Farage).”
“I thank the hon. Member for his point of order. It is disappointing to hear that he has not received a more substantive response to the concerns raised by his constituents. Ministers themselves are responsible for their own correspondence, and the Government’s ministerial code states: “Ministers should, where possible, provide full and timely responses” to such correspondence. Those on the Treasury Bench will have heard his concerns, but he may also wish to raise his concerns with the Leader of the House.”
“I thank the right hon. Member for his point of order. He will have heard my previous response and will know that Ministers are responsible for the accuracy of their remarks in the House. Those on the Treasury Bench will have heard his concerns and if a correction is needed, I am sure one will be forthcoming. On the issue of briefings to the media, as has been said on numerous occasions from the Chair in recent weeks, major announcements should be made in this House in the first instance and not to the media. We had an urgent question on this issue just yesterday. The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has been conducting an inquiry into ministerial statements and the ministerial code, and I look forward to seeing its report in due course.”
“I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. I have not had any indication that a Minister intends to come to the House to make a statement, but he has put his point on the record and the Table Office can advise him on how to pursue the matter further.”