New Clause 2
Pensions Bill
4:00 pm
James Purnell (Minister of State (Pensions Reform), Department for Work and Pensions; Stalybridge and Hyde, Labour)
Since we are on the topic, does the hon. Gentleman agree that another way to put the philosophical difference is that pension credit has managed to lift 2 million people out of absolute poverty, and 1 million out of relative poverty? It has in large part corrected the disgraceful situation that we inherited from the Conservatives. He said in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) earlier in this Committee’s proceedings that his party would not have introduced the pension credit. Does that not show clearly the philosophical difference between the two parties?