Grayling responds

Here are Chris Grayling’s answers to the questions put forward by CoffeeHousers:

Marcus Cotswell


“What are your plans for reducing the incidence of means-testing in the benefit system, with particular reference to the impact on incentives to save?”

None of us would have wanted to see means testing spread as far as it has throughout our benefits and tax credits system under Gordon Brown. However once a system is in place, it’s much more difficult to change things without creating losers amongst the most vulnerable in our society. So initially our focus will be on simplification. I am, for example, extremely concerned about the number of elderly pensioners who are finding it too difficult to apply for help, at a time when the cost of living pressures on them are acute.

However we will have to address the issue of means testing, particularly in the pensions arena. The Government is in the process of introducing a new type of pension for people on lower incomes, called personal accounts.