Speeches by Blake.

“Ms Lombardelli, the report highlighted a household savings ratio that was up to 11.6%, while in the July consumer confidence barometer, the savings index, which tracks people’s desire to save, rose to its highest level since November 2007. What is driving that behaviour?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you, Chair. I am bringing forward a cross-party proposal for a debate on or around 15 September, which is International Day of Democracy. I know that many of you will be as concerned as I am about the decline in trust in politics. Just 12% of people trust Governments to put the interests of the nation above those…”

“Q I used to be on a local government pensions committee, so I bring some of that experience to this question. The Bill talks about the merging of funds and what benefits that could have for savers and members, but it does not talk that much about administration. What impacts do you think that might have on local govern…”

“Can I follow up, then?”

“Thank you very much.”

“I also wish to declare such an interest.”

“Q You said that it is a very complicated calculation. How much confidence is there in that calculation? What input has there been from your members and part of your group on the confidence of that calculation? Roger Sainsbury: We would not have any ability to do that calculation at all. It all depends on the statistics…”

“Q Mr Yuille, in terms of your analysis of why there is a higher rate of investment in the UK from international funds than UK funds, do you think that the direction of the Bill will address those causes? Rob Yuille: I am not sure there is, first of all. Canadian and Australian schemes have a big presence here, but I am…”

“Q My understanding is that there is broad industry support. You have alluded to it in terms of recognising the direction and the purpose of the mandate. So there does not seem to be that much difference between those years, is my observation. Zoe Alexander: I think the trustees we have spoken to, of the schemes in our …”

“Q I want to probe the suggestion that the mandation sunset clause should come back from 2035. You alluded to your rationale for that, but can you expand on the argument about what difference that could make? Zoe Alexander: If you put yourself in the position of pension scheme trustees, having the presence of the reserv…”

“Q Thank you very much for your evidence and your considered responses. There has been a discussion about the £12 billion surplus. Have you done any research on what you estimate would be the extent of the cost of RIPA—the scheme that you have promoted? Roger Sainsbury: That is a very timely question, because for the pa…”

“T4. I share the anguish and profound distress of my constituents over the conflict in Gaza. Many of them have friends and family in the region; they are living with that torment every day. The Minister will have seen hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens marching for a release of the hostages and for a ceasefire. W…”

“Q Do you foresee any risks or additional challenges to the regulator in overseeing some of those decisions that might be made by trustees on surplus flexibility? Jack Jones: It sounds plausible, but we have not really looked at that yet. However, that is certainly something that we can do, and we will look at including…”

“Okay, so that is the one specific measure. Jack Jones: Yes, that is the one specific one. More generally, I think there should be guidance that makes it clear to trustees that they have to weigh up the benefits to members, or to make sure that any kind of surplus extraction benefits members through improved benefits, r…”

“Q I want to go back to member and trustee transparency around surplus flexibility. Could you be more specific on what preparations and possible changes would be needed to give that confidence to trustees and members about any surplus flexibility? Jack Jones: Like I said, I think the one specific measure is not allowing…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Vaz. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Ms Minns) for securing this important debate. Last November, I visited war memorials across the Cities of London and Westminster. From Paddington and Marylebone stations to St Paul’s cathedral, we honoured all those …”

“May I put on record my profound thanks to the Minister for her personal commitment to ensuring that we renew confidence in democracy? I warmly welcome proposals around moving away from the first-past-the-post system in regional elections and restoring that part of our democracy. Will she outline how she will tackle the…”

“I echo the words of my hon. Friends the Members for Stratford and Bow (Uma Kumaran) and for Sheffield Central (Abtisam Mohamed) about the terrible and desperate suffering of women and children. I thank the Minister for her update, in which she highlighted the outcome of the London Sudan conference and the urgent need f…”

“Mr Hughes, in your report, you say: “Over the past two decades, the size and complexity of the government’s financial balance sheet has expanded considerably. Since 2004-05, PSNFL”—public sector net financial liability—“has more than doubled from 33 per cent of GDP to 83 per cent of GDP last year.” Could you elaborate …”