BROWN BLOCK TO PROGRESS ON CITIZENS PENSION

Angus MP Mike Weir has accused the Chancellor Gordon Brown of blocking progress towards a Citizens Pension.

Mr Weir raised the matter during Work and Pensions Questions today by asking why the government had set itself so resolutely against even considering reform of the present tax relief system, which could free up the money required to create a fair Citizens Pension.

In response the Work and Pensions Secretary, John Hutton, stated that such matters were for the Treasury but went on to say that there was general agreement across the government on the way forward and he believed that they should stick with the present contributory system.

Commenting on the matter Mr Weir said that it was now clear that the government had abandoned any thoughts of moving to a fairer pension system.

“It has been no secret that there has been an argument inside government about this matter. Clearly Gordon Brown has won this argument and prevented any move towards a fair Citizens Pension for all. “

“There is a growing consensus around the country that a Citizens Pension is the way forward yet Gordon Brown obsession with means testing has squandered a real opportunity to make significant progress.”

“The present tax relief system massively benefits the well off and there is no evidence that it encourages saving. A reform of the system could provide much of the funding for a Citizens Pension that would create a fair state pension for all and a real foundation for personal savings towards retirement.”

“Scotland’s pensioners should reflect that if Brown succeeds Blair they can look forward to continuing means testing rather than a bold step towards a fair pension system.”