BOLD VISION NEEDED ON PENSION REFORM

Reacting to the final report of the Turner Commission on Pension Reform Mike Weir MP, the Scottish Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, called for a "Bold vision on pension reform."

Whilst welcoming Lord Turner's conclusion that we need to move away from means testing Mr Weir said that the proposals did not tackle the root of the problem.

"If we are to grasp the opportunity to tackle the problem of pension we need to commit to introducing a full Citizens Pension for every pensioner. This would lift all pensioners out of poverty and provide a firm foundation for personal savings towards the future. This one act would do more than anything else to return confidence to pensions."

"Instead of this it is likely that pensions will be embroiled in yet another round of the interminable battle between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Instead of a bold vision we are being treated to internecine sniping."

"Both Turner and the present government have set their faces against radical reform of the present unfair system of tax relief. If this was tackled then we could afford the introduction of a fair Citizens Pension, without increasing the current retirement age."

"We desperately need a bold vision on pension reform. It is not going to be provided  by either Blair or Brown."