Social Security

I have to tell the Minister that, in the real world out there, people will see it as a cut. Having received 1.5 per cent. this year, they will not receive it next year; in fact, they will receive 1.5 per cent. less. We think that that was a deeply cynical move by a discredited Government on their last legs. It gets worse. Let us consider the Government's treatment of pensioners. With a great fanfare, the Chancellor announced in the pre-Budget report that despite the RPI figures then applying, there would be a 2.5 per cent. rise in the state pension. As always with this Government, however, it pays to read the small print. Following the PBR, it was revealed—by the Minister herself, I believe—that the rise would not actually apply to many pensioners' real incomes. As Age Concern and Help the Aged—or Age UK, as we must get used to calling them—said in their briefing for the debate,""While we are pleased that the basic pension will increase by 2.5 per cent., most people see their state pension as a single entitlement and do not distinguish between the different parts."" The hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) made that point a moment ago. The briefing continues:""Since the pre-Budget report we have been receiving complaints from people who will be affected by this decision and the numbers are increasing as more people become aware that the commitment to uprate the state pension only applies to the basic pension.""