Pensions Bill: House of Lords considers Commons amendments
31 October 2011
The House of Lords considered Commons amendments to the Pensions Bill on Monday 31 October.
Members of the Lords discussed proposals to reject the Commons reversal of its amendments and insert a new timetable that, if agreed to, would slow down the rate for equalising the pension age for women and men and raising the state pension age.
Both Houses must reach agreement on the Bill for it to receive Royal Assent and pass into law. A Bill may go back and forth between each House – known as ‘ping pong’ – until both Houses reach agreement.
- Watch the debate on Parliament TV: Pensions Bill, Commons amendments
- Lords Hansard: read a transcript of the debate
- Marshalled List of Amendments to be moved on Consideration of Commons Amendments as at 28 October 2011
The Pensions Bill brings forward the date equalising the state pension age for men and women, and speeds up the timetable for raising the state pension age to 66. The Bill also amends the requirements for automatically enrolling workers into a workplace pension scheme – due to come into effect from 2012 onwards.
The Bill, which started in the House of Lords, completed its report stage and third reading in the Commons on 18 October 2011.
Further information
The exact wording of a Bill must be agreed on by both Houses. If the Lords disagrees with any Commons amendments, or makes alternative proposals, then the Bill is sent back to the Commons.