Pensions Bill

I agree that the Liberal Democrats should also tell us what they mean by the phrase ““means-tested benefits?, but the existing advice systems are supposed to be able to provide the information to which my hon. Friend refers. Independent financial advisers are supposed to give people advice on benefits—goodness knows how!—but, equally, advice is also supposed to be given to them by the agencies dispensing the benefits. Those arrangements are designed to ensure that people make decisions based on what is in their best financial interest. We should not label as ““means testing? all state support that takes into account someone’s personal finances. For instance, the carers allowance, or the carers or disability supplements to pension credit, are not examples of means testing: instead, they offer—in a dignified and proper way—substantial support so that people in retirement can have a decent standard of living.