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Pensions Bill

I understand the hon. Gentleman’s point, but the medical profession and improved education can help. It is not an insuperable problem and I am not sure that we should be prevented from doing something that would benefit the nation as a whole—including a high proportion of the hon. Gentleman’s constituents—simply because of disparities in health outcomes. Pension credit is a difficult problem. Even on the Government’s figures, one third of pensioners will still be claiming pension credit by 2050, and we need to do everything in our power to try to eliminate means testing. It has a high administrative cost and we also need to restore dignity. Most of my constituents who claim benefit would much prefer not to have to do so and the elimination of means-tested benefits, wherever possible, should be an objective for both sides of the House. I have given one example of ways in which we might be able to save enough money to enable us to do that. The Minister will recall from my Adjournment debate on 2 November that I am delighted that the Government are making changes to the home responsibilities protection provision. The changes will be good for parents and carers, and 20 hours a week is a reasonable requirement. The Minister will remember from my Adjournment debate that I am concerned about how the 20 hours will be defined. Who will provide certification? In many cases, the time spent by carers is difficult to measure. Perhaps we should require a medical practitioner to say that a particular patient needs at least 20 hours of care, as that would be preferable to requiring carers to prove that they provide 20 hours of care. The system must not be too hard and fast, as hours of care often fall at different times of the week, according to the arrangements that families make for looking after sick and elderly relatives. Carers perform an enormous duty for their own kith and kin that greatly benefits the country as a whole, and we must make it as easy as possible for them to make a legitimate claim.