I make no apology for the fact that the credit means that, for the first time, pensioners who have saved a little money or have a modest occupational or works pension will be rewarded by the state instead of punished under the current system. I cannot understand why Conservative Members want to maintain that system, which is a disincentive to saving. We should encourage people to save for their retirement. The pension credit will ensure that those who do so are rewarded. They have done more than any previous Government to ensure that those who are entitled to benefits receive them.
Friend is quite right.
When Conservative Members say that they are against means testing, they mean that they oppose giving more money to the people who need it most. We should be proud of that record. We are on the way to eradicating pensioner poverty. We are rewarding saving and helping all pensioners through the benefits and tax systems. That is all window dressing.