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Pensions Reform

I welcome my right hon. Friend’s package, especially his action in reducing the shadow of the means test, which has stalked pensions for too long. Will he also think again about the financial assistance scheme? Although he has gone some way towards meeting the concerns of the 85,000 steel engineering and other workers whose case is before the European Court of Justice, he has not gone all the way, and we do not want a ruling from the ECJ that would turn his hand. May I invite him to continue to consult on and consider that sensitive issue as he examines the White Paper further and implements its proposals? A great many people feel that their pensions were stolen from them.