AMNT Meets Shadow Pension Minister Gregg McClymont MP at House of Commons

On 27 November we had a special Open meeting for AMNT members at the House of Commons. 

Beforehand there had been a brief tour of Westminster Hall.  Then  40 of us were in a Committee room to hear Gregg McClymont MP talk about the UK pension landscape and then take part in a Q&A.   

He reaffirmed Labour Party policy that they will be looking to introduce in any future Labour Government beneficiary governance for all pension funds including contract schemes. This is not a panacea for all wrongs but to ensure value for money.

He also wants a Fiduciary duty for everyone in the investment chain.

Next was presentation by David Heslop from the Pension Protection Fund who painted a positive picture of the PPF and they believe that if things go to plan they will not have to levy pensions by 2030.  

 Our AMNT  joint Chair’s Barry Parr and Janice Turner also gave an update on our recent activities and plans for the future.

Afterwards as a contrast, we went to the offices of fund managers Evercore Pan-Asset at Queen Anne’s Gate and had a presentation by the chair of their investment Committee RH John Redwood MP on the state of the global economy and what this means for pension funds. This was followed by a drinks and nibbles reception.

Remember the Tory Years

Yesterday I went to Wales for a quick visit and updated my Face Book profile so - and was then reminded by one FB friend about the former SoS for Wales - dear old John Redwood.  I remembered this Youtube video - and yes, the Tories are still singing the old same tune.

Vote Labour for Cheaper Beer!

Yet another good reason to vote Labour in the elections next month.

Hat-tip thingy to Labour blogger Luke who reports here that in response to some typical hot air from John Redwood MP... “John Spellar MP has obtained figures from the House of Commons Library which show that a lower percentage of the cost of a pint of beer bought in a pub goes on tax now than it did during the Thatcherite years harked back to by John Redwood and the Conservative Party”.

So maybe Gordon should have launched the Party Europe and local government campaign this morning with this winning slogan?

This reminds me why so many bloggers support Labour over cheap “beer and sandwiches” at Congress House!

Health & Safety Sponsors Conkers

Now a serious subject for a change: Conkers. I applaud the Institute of Safety & Health IOSH (of which I am a member) brilliant decision to sponsor this year’s World Conker Championship which will take place this weekend at Ashton in Northamptonshire.

For too long the “health & Safety” lobby in this country has been on the defensive against wholly inaccurate and frankly dishonest myth making by much of the media - such as the “HSE bans conker playing in schools” etc. The usual suspects are at work e.g. Daily Hate, The Torygraph and the Daily Pornography).

This is also a key political issue where we have “clear blue water” between the Tories and Labour. John Redwood MP in the recent so-called "competitiveness report" announced that the Tories would get rid of the vitally important “Health & Safety at Work Act” and “The Working Time Regulations” if they won the next election.

Check out the HSE site health & safety myths