21.   The only way in which that can be addressed sensibly is by putting extra money into the basic state pension.

22.   The third vulnerable group of the population are the very elderly with only a state pension.

23.   They argued that the state pension should rise in line with average earnings.

24.   They receive the basic state pension.

25.   This includes the state pension, any occupational or personal pension and invalidity benefit.

26.   We will protect private pensions, and increase the basic state pension, making it payable as of right without means testing.

27.   Without state pensions, many elderly people would be deprived of access to any substantial financial resources in their old age.

28.   The government is encouraging people to contract out of the state pension scheme and into personal pension plans instead.

29.   Inflation has gradually whittled away at the value of state pensions.

30.   Many people find it hard to live on a basic state pension.