Pensions Reform

We are making it clear that there will be a continuing role for targeted financial support for the poorest pensioners. One obvious reason is that many women, in particular, have not accrued a full entitlement to the basic state pension. They will be in the pensions system for many decades, and we have no intention of withdrawing any of their financial support. I think it right, in the short, the medium and the long term, for us to adopt sensible measures to restrict the spread of means-testing. By definition, ours must always be a targeted approach, and I hope and believe that the measures we have announced today will go a long way towards dealing with my hon. Friend’s concerns.