Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill [Lords] Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill [Lords]

Matthew Offord Excerpts
Robert Jenrick Portrait Robert Jenrick
- Parliament Live - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I shall come on in a moment to my own personal views with respect to boycott, divestment and sanctions, but this new clause has no bearing on the actions of private citizens. This is about public sector pension schemes. The broader issue, which I will mention in a moment with respect to tackling BDS within public institutions and the public sector, is all about the public sector; it is not about limiting the freedom of speech or action of the individual.

Matthew Offord Portrait Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con)
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Will my right hon. Friend give way?

Robert Jenrick Portrait Robert Jenrick
- Parliament Live - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I would like to make some progress, but I will give way.

Matthew Offord Portrait Dr Offord
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Is my right hon. Friend aware that, only this morning, Hertfordshire County Council was considering a petition submitted by individuals to ask it to divest from its pension scheme? Does he agree that it is the responsibility of elected representatives to ensure that pension schemes have the best and most profitable outcome to allow the members of that pension scheme to receive the best possible income?

Robert Jenrick Portrait Robert Jenrick
- Parliament Live - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Yes, I do, and I will give some other examples of local authorities considering the same actions that my hon. Friend describes.

The argument that I wish to advance is that, for too long, we have seen public pension schemes pursue pseudo foreign policies.