PENSIONS NEED A BOLD VISION, NOT A SQUALID COMPROMISE

WEIR WARY OF REPORTED DEAL BY PM AND CHANCELLOR OVER PENSIONS

Mike Weir MP, SNP Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, commenting on the reported "deal" between the Prime Minister and The Chancellor on Pensions has said that it represented a failure to grasp a unique opportunity to tackle the crisis facing pensions.

"The future of our pensions system should not be left to a back room deal between squabbling rivals.  The Turner proposals, although far from perfect, gave an opportunity to look at the whole question of pensions.  What is needed now is a bold vision not a shabby compromise. You have to wonder, in any event, if this reported deal will be any more robust than previous deals between the two."

"Whilst the proposal to restore the link between pensions and earnings is welcome it will not happen for several years and even then will take no account of the gap that has grown up since the link was broken by the previous Tory administration."

"The present government have turned their face completely against any consideration of reform of the present unfair tax relief system, which massively benefit the better off. If this was reformed it could free up much of the funding required for the introduction of a fair Citizens Pension for all. This would lift all pensioners out of poverty and provide a secure base for future savings towards retirement. It would also not require the raising of the pension age unlike the government's reported proposals."

"There is a growing national consensus around the idea of a Citizens Pension. The impending publication of the government's white paper on pensions will give the opportunity to press for a real solution to the problems of pensions."