Member

I will also touch on the treatment of assets and liabilities following local government reorganisation. During earlier stages of the pensions Bill, my noble friend Lady Scott of Bybrook rightly stressed that this must be handled with absolute care. Ensuring that assets and liabilities are divided fairly and accurately post-reorganisation is vital to maintaining confidence in the system. That process must be demonstrably independent, transparent and robust and not be left to negotiation under pressure. I did not hear a clear answer on this point previously, and I would be grateful if the Minister could address it today or, failing that, write to me and my noble friend.