The UK Parliament reported that members of the House of Lords held the second reading debate on the National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill, which would empower the government to apply a National Insurance contributions (NICs) charge where employer pension contributions are made via salary sacrifice arrangements exceeding GBP 2,000 per annum. The second reading debate focused on the bill’s main principles and highlighted areas where amendments may be sought. The debate was opened by Lord Livermore, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, who responded on behalf of the government, with contributions from peers including Lord Altrincham, Lord Davies of Brixton, Lord Fuller and Baroness Neville-Rolfe. The committee stage, which allows for line-by-line scrutiny, is scheduled for Tuesday 24 February.