Hugh petitions for fair deal

HUGH ROBERTSON INTERVENES WITH SECRETARY OF STATE OVER LOST ALBERT FISHER PENSIONS

Hugh Robertson has written to the Secretary of State on behalf of the Albert Fisher Group Pensions who lost all their pensions when the firm went into receivership two years ago. Albert Fisher was the last of a number of reincarnations of the old East Kent Packers Firm.

The issue has been highlighted recently by the Pensions Bill currently passing through Parliament. Michael Howard took it up with Tony Blair at Prime Minister’s Questions a month ago.

The initial proposal, laid out by labour MP Frank Field and supported by the Conservative Party and some Labour backbenchers, was to use the unclaimed loss register to make good the pension shortfall. This proposal was rejected by the government.

However, in the Pensions Bill, the government has bought forward its own proposals to set up an insurance based scheme with the shortfall made up by a levy on the pensions industry.

Hugh said: “I know that there are a number of people in the Faversham area who lost their pensions when Albert Fisher passed into receivership. A number of them have approached me.

“I have, therefore, contacted the Secretary of State directly to confirm that Albert Fisher is covered by the Government’s proposals and to try an discover the potential level of compensation. I also need to find out exactly what the pensioners need to do next. I will certainly do everything possible to try and ensure that these pensions are restored.”