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Pensions Bill

The more I listen to the debate, the more I realise that a period in a Parliament is a nonsense. Why should pensioners have to wait longer if it happens to suit Gordon Brown to run right up to 2010 rather than call an election next year? It seems to me that, in principle, there should be a date. I feel like offering the Minister a deal; that we will drop all our suggestions of raising the basic state pension and that we shall even drop our support for citizens’ pensions if he will promise that the basic state pension is put up by £1 a week every time the word ““flexibility”” is used in our debates. More seriously, I thank the noble Baronesses, Lady Turner and Lady Greengross, for their support—I could call them the usual suspects. The point is well made by Age Concern and Help the Aged that without the restoration of the link with earnings, the real value of the basic state pension in today's earnings terms will fall to £79 by 2012. Pensioners are seeing the value of their pensions decrease steadily in relation to average earnings. They have waited long enough. At this stage, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 22 to 24 not moved.] Clause 5 agreed to. [Amendment No. 25 not moved.] Clause 6 agreed to. Clause 7 [Removal of link between lower earnings limit and basic pension]: