People in receipt of state pensions have paid for it over the years – they are not on benefits
Chart from @ChrisGiles on how the welfare budget split
State pension, surely, should not be regarded as a benefit pic.twitter.com/ex9R9d1gZz
— Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) January 8, 2014
@GuidoFawkes @MSmithsonPB Er, its Osborne who talks about welfare which brigades the lot together.
— John McTernan (@johnmcternan) January 8, 2014
It’s time the terminology was changed
Eighteen months ago I started to receive my state pension after I’d deferred it for a year. Before this was granted there were checks that I had made the contributions during the 45 years that I was in paid employment. It was only after that check that the money stated to come every four weeks.
Yet according to many politicians I am now on benefits. This I resent.
It is ridiculous that this is presented as part of the benefits budget. The state pension needs to be separated. By lumping it in everybody is getting a wrong impression resulting in the debate on the welfare budget not taking place in a proper context.
Over to you George.