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Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2007

What are the Minister’s views on council tax increases and their impact on the cost of living for pensioners? One is already reading of people threatening not to pay. That council taxes are rising faster than pensions is undoubtedly a sore point. I am in the company of people who know far more about the subject than I. However, does the Minister not agree that we would not start from this point if we were starting again? We must live within the building that we have. To change is dangerous for two reasons; first, the impact on customers who quite properly rely on the benefits system; secondly, the need for fiscal responsibility, in government and in opposition, means that one has finite sums available for the benefits system. That traps the whole process in the sort of routine that we have been going through today. I have been impressed by the contributions made by the noble Baroness, Lady Hollis, the noble Lord, Lord Kirkwood, and my noble friend Lord Skelmersdale and by the way in which they have indicated that a more comprehensive review bythe Government might lead to a better use of the resources available. I would like to know what the Minister thinks of that.