Brown must not be allowed to veto pensions consensus

5.08.35pm GMT Tue 29th Nov 2005

David Laws MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, commenting ahead of tomorrow's Turner Commission Report on Pensions, said:

"Most of Lord Turner's Report now seems to have been leaked to the press, and briefed against by the Chancellor and his lieutenants. Yet it seems likely to be the best chance we will have to secure much needed reform of Britain's complex and inadequate pensions system.

"Lord Turner is likely to reflect a broad national consensus when he proposes a simpler and improved state pension, linked to earnings, rather than the current reliance on means-testing and complexity.

"The Prime Minister cannot allow one man, Gordon Brown, who is trapped in the thinking of the 1980s, to veto pensions reform.

"It is simply unthinkable that we could end up with 80% of pensioners on means-tested benefits, as Gordon Brown seems to think acceptable. In addition, the spread of means-testing can only erode incentives for private saving.

"We shall find out tomorrow not only what direction pensions policy is likely to take over the next decade, but whether the Prime Minister is still able to lead his own Government, or whether it is Gordon Brown who is now calling the shots."