Next week looks like being a big one for Pensions with the Pensions Minister summoning the dasboardistas to Westminster on Monday morning for the big reveal. This meeting is scheduled to last an hour and will mean I will be late for the Pension Play Pen Lunch at the Counting House. I will debrief those attending on what the Government intends to do and we can have our own debate. Be at the lunch for more.
On Wednesday we have the pensions equivalent of Wilder v Fury at the Pensions Select Committee
Oral Evidence Session
Witness(es)
Colin Meech, National Officer, UNISON
Jonathan Lipkin, Director of Policy, Strategy & Research, Investment Association
Dr Yvonne Braun, Director of Policy, Long-Term Savings and Protection, Association of British Insurers
Nigel Peaple, Director of Policy, Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association
Location
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Meech in the Thatcher Room
Anyone who knows the ageing eagle, Colin Meech will enjoy the thought of him giving his thoughts under the watchful eye of the Iron Lady. Anyone who knows Jonathan Lipkin will understand that whatever position he takes , he is likely to get an upper cut to the chin from the deadly Meech.
Yvonne and Nigel make up the supporting cast for what could be the most entertaining session since the BSPS hearing. I have booked ringside seats and will be going in a cheap suit – there will be blood (metaphorically).
I realise that I have to be careful in my choice of words as my friend Al Rush was barred from giving evidence at one of these meetings for claims he was inciting violence. I suspect that Frank Field is in danger of doing the same!
Shock and Awe all round
While clearly the two big things happening in politics are billed above, there is also the matter of Britain’s long term relationship with the rest of the world to sort out.
Cycling past the Houses of Parliament to get to the bike stand to its west you appreciate just why they call the media and PR scrum the Westminster village. It’s like a village fete with tents and flags and all kind of commotion. Even a cyclist passing by discovers many politicians who spend more time being interviewed about Brexit than doing their job!
I’m looking forward to next week, I’m hoping for some clarity on how we can find our pensions and I’m expecting some vigorous debate on Wednesday. But it’s hard to put out of your mind the wider matter of BREXIT about which most of us can do nothing but look on.
In shock and awe.
