Newly elected Nigel Huddleston MP defied parliamentary odds today (Wednesday 17th June) as he was selected to ask a question at Prime Minister’s Questions for the second time in a row.
MPs enter a ballot each week to ask the PM questions every Wednesday and the average is said for two questions per year, so two in a row is very unusual.
This week the Prime Minister is in Europe so Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne was the one answering questions.
Nigel asked,
“Pensions are a really important issue to my constituents. The Government has delivered on its side of the bargain by giving savers the freedom to access their pensions. Will the Chancellor do all he can do to make sure that the industry lives up to its side of the bargain and delivers on those freedoms? ”
In his response the Chancellor said,
“Well my honourable friend is absolutely right that the pension freedoms we introduced in April deliver a fundamental Conservative principal that people who have worked hard and saved hard all their lives should be trusted with their own money. 60, 000 people have accessed their pension savings but there are clearly concerns that some companies are not doing their part to make those freedoms available. We are investigating how to remove barriers and we are now considering a cap on charges. I am asking the Financial Conduct Authority to investigate. People have worked hard and saved hard deserve a better deal.”
After leaving the House of Commons Chamber,
“I was delighted to have been picked again for a second PMQ in a row.
“As the Chancellor was answering the questions it gave me a perfect opportunity to ask a question about pensions.
“It is excellent news that the Government are taking action to ensure that everyone is allowed to access their pensions should they wish. I particularly welcome the promise from the Chancellor to look into capping charges which has been brought up to me several times by constituents”