Clegg: cut benefits for wealthy pensioners

clock •

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has called for benefits such as free television licences, winter fuel payments and bus passes to be taken away from wealthy pensioners.

While committing the coalition government to universal benefits until 2015, the Liberal Democrat leader said the issue needed to be reconsidered after that and suggested wealthy pensioners should voluntarily surrender some benefits in order to help "make ends meet". "We have ruled out in the Coalition Agreement changing what are called age-related universal benefits: free TV licences, winter fuel payments and free bus passes," he said in an interview with the BBC. "My own view is for the future that it would be very difficult to explain - and it would be quite interesting if you could...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Economics / Markets

Fahad Hassan: When good news becomes an inflation problem

Fahad Hassan: When good news becomes an inflation problem

'Markets have been adjusting to the risks through valuations all year'

Fahad Hassan
clock 29 September 2026 • 6 min read
Healey promises 'new age of industrialisation' ahead of Budget

Healey promises 'new age of industrialisation' ahead of Budget

Keeps quiet on personal taxation, pensions or savings at Labour’s conference

Isabel Baxter
clock 28 September 2026 • 2 min read
MPs warn policymakers to stop using OBR as scapegoat for tough fiscal decisions

MPs warn policymakers to stop using OBR as scapegoat for tough fiscal decisions

Treasury Committee report

clock 23 September 2026 • 2 min read