We are not going to whinge any more. Later the National Pensioners Convention said about 200 pensioners staged a sit-down protest in the road outside the House of Commons, but there were no arrests. Make no mistake, our campaign has been successful, it has had an impact on the government and we should see that in substantial increases. But the pensioners' campaign would have to continue after the pre-budget statement.
Pensioners deserve a decent basic state pension.
I am ashamed that this campaign is necessary. I am ashamed that we are being forced to fight for our rights, to fight for our dignity, because there is no dignity in poverty, Gordon Brown. David Willetts, the shadow social security secretary, said the rally showed Mr Brown could no longer ignore pensioners demands.