“The guidance will encapsulate those wider factors …, with the goal being to provide practical support to trustees about how to comply with their existing duties in considering these factors, including what we mean by systemic risks and standards of living.”

He said “I can … announce today that I intend to bring forward legislation that will allow the Government to develop statutory guidance for the trust-based private pensions sector”.

“Less eligibility” has always been around. It explains the Poor Law, the Workhouse, stone breaking, etc., etc.

That’s before we come to all those with a private pension, however small. Plus those with some employment, however limited. There may be more pensioners who only get the new state pension, but my guess is numbers are limited here as well. 3/3

The number of pensioners who only receive the basic state pension is likely to be vanishingly small. Almost all have some entitlement to SERPS/S2P, even those who were contracted out, plus many with graduated pension. Plus those who have increments from deferring receipt of their state pension. 2/3

Also note the use of the highly prejudicial term “illegal migrants” in a statement by the SoS.

Credit where credit is due. But the announcement alongside the Budget is a bit vague. It identifies the problem, but then says it will be "exploring" a solution. It gives a name to the solution, i.e. "Simple Assessment", but without giving any indication as to what this might mean. One to watch.

Or maybe whatever information you are trying capture just doesn’t show up in these figures.

No they won’t. £150 x 12 is less than the rumoured NI free allowance of £2,000.

I’m looking forward to a reply from @stevewebb1.bsky.social

No talk about Barbara Castle should exclude reference to her work on pensions reform. Supported by David Ennals, she increased the State pension by the greatest ever amount in real terms and introduced the much missed State Earnings Related Pension Scheme.

Spot on.

Here’s an idea. Let’s have a Pensions Commission to review pension provision as a whole, including the adequacy of State pensions. Then we would know when the triple-lock will no longer be needed. Government by careful consideration, rather than as short term one-off response.

my canvassing in 2019 was almost always positive, but then I was canvassing for a Labour candidate with a positive socialist message and a strong record in his constituency.