Occupational Pensions

Part of Opposition Day — [8th allotted day] – in the House of Commons at 3:45 pm on 17 April 2007.

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Photo of George Osborne George Osborne Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer 3:45, 17 April 2007

The hon. Gentleman nods to repeat that claim. Indeed, the Chancellor repeated the claim a week later. Taking £100 billion from pension funds and telling them they were gainers has to take the prize for the most unbelievable political statement of the year. Richard Lambert does not believe it; the Economic Secretary should listen to him because he gave the hon. Gentleman his first job. Richard Lambert said that the tax raid made

"a significant contribution to the weakening of the country's occupational pensions platform."

The hon. Gentleman should listen to the Prime Minister's former pension adviser. She said:

"The Chancellor will go down in history as the one who destroyed our pensions system."

The president of the National Association of Pension Funds said:

"This was the biggest attack on pensions in living memory. Even Robert Maxwell only took £450 million."

What is it with Labour MPs and pensions?