Social Security

The hon. Gentleman again seeks to assert that there has been a recent decision or change of policy, but there has not. I repeat the commitment that we have given many times before that if pensioners and benefit recipients choose to collect their income from the post office we want to ensure they are able to do so. We need to do more to meet the demographic, social and economic challenges that we face today. The Pensions Commission was clear that there is not a pensions crisis, but it identified about 9 million people who were not saving enough for their retirement. That, together with the demographic challenge of increasing life expectancy, would lead to a crisis in 20 or 30 years’ time if we failed to make appropriate responses now. That is why we established the Pensions Commission to provide a reliable, independent review of the UK pension system and to make recommendations for change. We are expanding the national pensions debate and talking to people of all ages across the country to listen to their views. We want to involve citizens and stakeholders in developing a lasting settlement on pensions. We will hold a number of events that will culminate in national pensions day on 18 March. The findings will help us to develop a consensus-based package for reform. I believe that building such a consensus is crucial. We want to ensure that the decisions that people make in the next few years about savings for retirement will still be sensible choices in 20, 30 or even 40 years’ time. The Government have undertaken their own rigorous analysis of the commission’s proposals. The package of reforms that we will introduce in a White Paper in the spring will satisfy the five tests that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has set out to promote personal responsibility, and be fair, affordable, straightforward and sustainable. In conclusion, the uprating order further delivers on our promises to help the people who need it most, supporting families and tackling the poverty suffered by pensioners and children wherever it occurs. We are supporting more people who can work into work, including people on incapacity benefit and lone parents. We are helping older people who want to return to, or remain in, the work force to extend their working lives. We are ensuring dignity and security for pensioners, as well as an end to abject poverty in retirement. For those reasons, I commend the orders to the House. Question put and agreed to. Resolved,"That the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2006, which was laid before this House on 25th January, be approved."