Government to review FAS - papers 16th March

According to the paper, John Hutton, the work and pensions secretary, will try to secure a boost to the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) within months rather than waiting until next year's spending review to find more money for tens of thousands of people who have lost pension benefits. An announcement could be made alongside the government's white paper on pensions reform in early summer but unless billions of pounds are added it is unlikely to satisfy campaigners, who say the FAS is woefully inadequate. The move follows a damning report by the parliamentary ombudsman, who found the...