Speeches by Perteghella.

“I fully agree. It is really important that pensions reflect ethics and morality and that the people investing in them have a voice. It is no longer good enough to see pensions in isolation from sustainability, ethics or morality. Whether it is because of the way in which funds are clawed back from low-paid pensioners o…”

“I thank my hon. Friend for making that important point. We need legal reform to ensure that pensions in payment are finally brought under the protection of equality law. We also need greater transparency and accountability from pension providers, especially those entrusted with the retirement futures of hard-working pe…”

“I thank the hon. Member for raising that important issue. Absolutely, we need to ensure that the Government have a long-term outlook, so that the young working British people of today will be able to retire on a comfortable pension. We urgently need a full review of pension clawback practices. Many constituents have wr…”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is unfair and we need to ensure that HSBC is accountable. In correspondence with MPs, the bank states that because clawback is lawful, its policy is acceptable, but I say: lawful does not mean just. This Parliament has a duty to act when the law permits injustice. We need to moder…”

“Yes, the practice is a relic from the past and needs to be abolished. Women have historically occupied lower-paid roles at Midland bank and HSBC. They have taken career breaks to care for children or elderly parents, or have been placed on new contracts with clawback attached—often without being told the implications f…”

“Yes. The hon. Member makes a good point. The lack of transparency allowed this policy to persist under the radar. The formula used is regressive and unfair. For a start, the deduction is based on the full state pension rate one year before retirement, not on salary or actual state pension received. It is then divided b…”

“rose—”

“Last week, I joined constituents involved in citizen science projects testing water quality in the River Stour. The findings were deeply concerning: the very high levels of phosphates and nitrates in the water are clear evidence of the ongoing damage to our waterways. Will my hon. Friend join me in commending the impor…”

“Despite overwhelming support, the Coventry and Warwickshire integrated care board has decided to cut all beds at the Ellen Badger hospital in Shipston-on-Stour, an anchor building and community hospital that is at the heart of our town. Does the Minister agree that cutting such vital services is unacceptable, and that …”

“It is a pleasure to speak under your chairmanship, Mr Stuart. I commend my hon. Friend the Member for South Devon (Caroline Voaden) for leading this important debate. For far too long, management companies have operated in a vacuum of regulation, and communities are paying the price. Residents find themselves locked in…”

“I want to talk about insolvencies. What would happen if a higher education provider went insolvent? If this university is an anchor institution in a rural area, I want you also to think about the ramifications for employees, not just the academic and student body. Could you let us know about the process?”

“No. In February 2025, the Office for Students announced a new approach to treat students fairly. These proposals include changes to criteria for new higher education providers to enter the Office for Students register. These providers can also access funding. I do not know whether this would make a difference to govern…”

“Yes, the registration requirements.”

“This question is for Jo. I need to declare that in the past I was a member of UCU. You touched upon the current environment, the workload and the relationship between staff and students. What are the impacts on the working environment of staff in higher education right now?”

“I wanted to go back to international students. How are you treating British students who live overseas and then apply to come and study in UK universities? Are they home students, or are they treated as international students?”

“My question is about franchise partnerships. The National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee have raised concerns about franchising that include profit and surplus being taken by franchised and lead providers, not being spent on better outcomes for students. Also, there have been press allegations of fraud and …”

“Is that for both master’s and PhD students?”

“I need to declare that I worked as a university lecturer for nearly 20 years. I contributed to AHRC-funded research projects and, more recently, UKRI-funded research projects. My question for the panel is about the full economic cost and the cost recovery. The Universities UK 2025 spending review submission said that u…”

“No. In February 2025, the Office for Students announced a new approach to treat students fairly. These proposals include changes to criteria for new higher education providers to enter the Office for Students register. These providers can also access funding. I do not know whether this would make a difference to govern…”

“Yes, the registration requirements.”