APPG takes action to oppose the Uprating Regulations – EDM 1097

March 21, 2017 Frozen Pensions 8 Comments

EDM 1097The APPG on Frozen British Pensions has tabled a “motion to annul” the Social Security Benefits Uprating Regulations 2017, the Statutory Instrument used by the Government to freeze overseas state pensions for another year.

The Uprating Regulations are subject to negative parliamentary procedure, which means that MPs don’t have an opportunity to approve this measure, but must instead seek to have it annulled before it automatically comes into force on 11 April. The formal procedure is for MPs to “Pray” against it, in the form of an Early Day Motion. If the Motion secures sufficient support, then it may be awarded parliamentary time for a debate and vote, though this is notoriously difficult.

The “Prayer”/Motion to Annul was tabled after the meeting of the APPG on 21 March 2017, by Ian Blackford (SNP), Sir Roger Gale (Conservative), Wayne David (Labour), Greg Mulholland (Liberal Democrat), Sammy Wilson (DUP), Caroline Lucas (Green) and Sir Peter Bottomley (Conservative).

EDM 1097:  SOCIAL SECURITY (S.I. 2017 No. 349)

That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations 2017 (S.I., 2017, No. 349), dated 9 March 2017, a copy of which was laid before this House on 13 March 2017, be annulled.

It is hoped that other APPG members, and supporters of unfreezing pensions from all parties in parliament will now add their names to it.

Parliament is due to rise for Easter Recess on 30 March 2017, which in practice leaves just a week for MPs to successfully challenge the Up-rating Regulations. In practice it is very unlikely that this initiative will be successful unless backed by the Official Opposition. Labour has promised to issue a position statement by the end of the week.

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Comments

  1. Sheila Telford
    March 22, 2017 - 8:44 pm

    This is a wonderful initiative from the APPG. Let’s hope that this parliamentary procedure is successful.

  2. James Tilley
    March 22, 2017 - 9:34 pm

    This is encouraging support from some sterling supporters across all parties in Parliament. Let’s hope many more of us expat supporters will work to persuade many more MPs to finally realise the government’s practice of unfairly freezing just 4 % of the UK’s pensioners is not only contrary to the values of which the UK boasts, it’s also economic stupidity.

  3. Robin Davidson
    March 23, 2017 - 1:42 pm

    With Jeremy Corbyn as a member of the APPG it’s hard to see why Labour would not be in favour of ending this discrimination. I don’t know how a party does not endorse something that the party leader presumably believes strongly in…….

  4. john west
    March 28, 2017 - 2:45 am

    Well just what is the position on this and how many exactly are going to show up or add their names.
    If it was a bail out for say Greece or an economic emeregency or debate on going to war, you can bet your life the Commons will be packed to overflowing. Disgusting

  5. john west
    March 28, 2017 - 2:49 am

    Jim
    Yes promises, promises and the difficulty is oh so few people getting involved and when and if they get in to power they toe the party line. Disgusting and also those frozen pensioners who do nothing are nearly as bad.
    We shall see!!!

  6. Andy Robertson-Fox
    March 28, 2017 - 5:44 am

    If the APPG is proposing this motion why are some eligible members not adding their name to it?

  7. Robin Davidson
    March 31, 2017 - 6:58 pm

    Hello, following the EDM1097 presentation by Sir Roger Gale and Ian Blackford to the Backbench Committee, it appears that the motion is scheduled for debate in the House of Commons, main hall, on Thursday 20th April, sometime after 10.30am, after some other business is conducted.
    This information is from the Parliamentary Business calendar on Westminster’s website.
    The S.I. (to once again freeze us) will be in force by then which I assume is why the EDM says to annul it since if it’s not in force it cannot be annulled!
    I’ll plan to be watching parliament TV live, it should be worth getting out of bed early for (I’m not that lazy – just in Canada, several hours behind)!

  8. the Emo's
    April 5, 2017 - 2:02 am

    And about time we pray your Majesty.
    If there is anything worse than a frozen Canadian winter it’s a frozen British pension.
    Ron&Barb Emo

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