Speeches by Perteghella.

“Skills England will be responsible for ensuring that technical training, including T-levels, meets the needs of individuals and local employers. We have heard evidence that small employers, in particular, face difficulties engaging with education and training structures. How will you assist the small employers, especia…”

“There has been a sharp fall in apprenticeship starts since 2017 when a new funding system was introduced. We know that there were 150,000 fewer apprentices starting their training in 2023 than in 2016. We have heard that this is due to low pay but also to a lack of information in schools about a clear route into appren…”

“Obviously we have heard about the relationship between employers and the programme itself. We have also heard evidence that employers are not as engaged in the planning and implementation of the T-level programmes as they might or should be. What measures will you take to strengthen partnerships between T-level provide…”

“Skills England will be responsible for ensuring that technical training, including T-levels, meets the needs of individuals and local employers. We have heard evidence that small employers, in particular, face difficulties engaging with education and training structures. How will you assist the small employers, especia…”

“I fully agree. The term itself is misleading. The money is not being taken by the state; it actually goes back to HSBC. Had it been labelled properly, as an integrated pension deduction, many people would have asked questions much earlier.”

“I thank the hon. Member for that valuable point. I have a message for HSBC later in my remarks. Campaigners have presented robust evidence, including research by the University of Exeter, showing the disproportionate impact on women and low-paid staff. One of the recommendations in the University of Exeter report is fo…”

“Absolutely. I will ask the Minister to take action later in my remarks.”

“Pension funds hold not just financial value but moral weight. How we treat our pensioners, and how we invest in the future of the hard-working people of this country, says everything about the kind of society we are. I want to bring to the House’s attention one of the most concerning injustices faced by thousands of fo…”

“I fully agree. It is really important that pensions reflect ethics and morality and that the people investing in them have a voice. It is no longer good enough to see pensions in isolation from sustainability, ethics or morality. Whether it is because of the way in which funds are clawed back from low-paid pensioners o…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for making that important point. We need legal reform to ensure that pensions in payment are finally brought under the protection of equality law. We also need greater transparency and accountability from pension providers, especially those entrusted with the retirement futures of hard-working pe…”

“I thank the hon. Member for raising that important issue. Absolutely, we need to ensure that the Government have a long-term outlook, so that the young working British people of today will be able to retire on a comfortable pension. We urgently need a full review of pension clawback practices. Many constituents have wr…”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is unfair and we need to ensure that HSBC is accountable. In correspondence with MPs, the bank states that because clawback is lawful, its policy is acceptable, but I say: lawful does not mean just. This Parliament has a duty to act when the law permits injustice. We need to moder…”

“Yes, the practice is a relic from the past and needs to be abolished. Women have historically occupied lower-paid roles at Midland bank and HSBC. They have taken career breaks to care for children or elderly parents, or have been placed on new contracts with clawback attached—often without being told the implications f…”

“Yes. The hon. Member makes a good point. The lack of transparency allowed this policy to persist under the radar. The formula used is regressive and unfair. For a start, the deduction is based on the full state pension rate one year before retirement, not on salary or actual state pension received. It is then divided b…”

“rose—”

“Last week, I joined constituents involved in citizen science projects testing water quality in the River Stour. The findings were deeply concerning: the very high levels of phosphates and nitrates in the water are clear evidence of the ongoing damage to our waterways. Will my hon. Friend join me in commending the impor…”

“Despite overwhelming support, the Coventry and Warwickshire integrated care board has decided to cut all beds at the Ellen Badger hospital in Shipston-on-Stour, an anchor building and community hospital that is at the heart of our town. Does the Minister agree that cutting such vital services is unacceptable, and that …”

“It is a pleasure to speak under your chairmanship, Mr Stuart. I commend my hon. Friend the Member for South Devon (Caroline Voaden) for leading this important debate. For far too long, management companies have operated in a vacuum of regulation, and communities are paying the price. Residents find themselves locked in…”

“I want to talk about insolvencies. What would happen if a higher education provider went insolvent? If this university is an anchor institution in a rural area, I want you also to think about the ramifications for employees, not just the academic and student body. Could you let us know about the process?”

“No. In February 2025, the Office for Students announced a new approach to treat students fairly. These proposals include changes to criteria for new higher education providers to enter the Office for Students register. These providers can also access funding. I do not know whether this would make a difference to govern…”