National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill

Debate between Lord de Clifford and Lord Fuller

Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasons
Wednesday 25th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord de Clifford (CB)]

I will be extremely brief. I support all these amendments in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Rolfe. My main concern is that some basic rate taxpayers will be disincentivised from making pension contributions because of that extra 8% that they are going to pay. That will take away the real advantage that we have seen in auto-enrolment and they will opt out of those schemes because they need to fund their houses. The Government should please look at it again.

[Lord Fuller (Con)]

My Lords, once again, taken together, this is a further insult to working people. As we have heard this evening, it is about not the fat cats but the youngsters and the poorer paid who are starting off and trying to do the right thing, making their way in the world. There is already intergenerational unfairness, and this Bill amplifies it and makes it worse. The Government have a tin ear. When they say they are trying to look after the youngsters, they are speaking with a forked tongue. Youngsters just want a break, but this Government are beating them with a stick. We have got to stop it.