Pensioners have been unfairly insulated from government spending cuts and £16bn could be saved if their benefits are reduced, a think- tank says.
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says older people "enjoy a privileged position" compared to the rest of the population. The IEA's report, Sharing the Burden, says the elderly have kept their non-means-tested benefits and their state pension is set to increase, as well as having higher personal tax allowances and marriage allowances if one partner is over 75. Instead, the report recommends abolishing several non-means-tested benefits such as free bus travel, TV licences and winter fuel allowance. It advocates a state pension system based on contributing for 45 years and rais...
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