CENTENARY OF THE STATE PENSION

Early day motion 658, tabled 8 January 2008 by Baroness Hoey (Labour). Signed by 133 members.

That this House pays tribute to the pension pioneers who campaigned from 1898 until 1908 to secure the first old age state pension; acknowledges the importance of the state recognising it has a responsibility to provide a decent income in retirement for all without resort to means-testing; expresses concern that after 100 years the state pension is still significantly below the official poverty level; and calls on the Government to mark the centenary of the state pension in 2008 by raising the basic state pension for all pensioners above the official poverty level and restoring its link with earnings or prices, whichever is the greater.

Signatures by party: Labour 79, Liberal Democrat 32, Conservative 9, DUP 4, Scottish National Party 4, Independent 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.