Laws backs lib dem plans for better pensions

David Laws, MP for Yeovil constituency, today launched Liberal Democrat plans to introduce a ‘Citizens’ Pension’ and immediately restore the link between pensions and earnings.

Liberal Democrat plans, released in the ‘Freedom from Poverty: Opportunity for All’ policy paper, which David Laws co-authored, would reintroduce the link between pensions and earnings immediately; the Government has yet to decide on 2012 or 2015 for restoring the link – by which time 3 million pensioners will have died.

The Lib Dem plans to establish the Citizen’s Pension, based on citizenship rather than contributions records, would remove millions of pensioners from means-tested benefits while giving them a more generous pension.

David Laws said,

“The new Liberal Democrat plans to reform the state pension system would benefit all pensioners, especially those on very low incomes and people whose incentives to save are undermined by means testing.

“The Liberal Democrats want to reintroduce the link between pensions and earning immediately – not delay it for up to 8 years as the Government is planning. All pensioners would immediately feel the benefit of a higher basic state pension.

“Furthermore, plans to introduce a ‘Citizen’s Pension’ based on citizenship and not contribution records – a system which at present penalises women and carers in particular -  would mean more pensioners would be entitled to a full state pension. People who had saved for their retirement would no longer be penalised by receiving a lower rate and those with no savings would not be reliant on complex, means-tested benefits.

“The new Lib Dem plans will deliver a fairer deal for all pensioners.”
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Category: Constituency News