The government has suffered a defeat in the Lords over its proposed reform of the state pension system.
Peers backed, by 215 to 210, a move aimed at boosting the pension entitlement of thousands of workers with two or more low-paid jobs. The amendment to the Pensions Bill would allow workers to combine their earnings to build up their contribution record to qualify for a state pension. Ministers want to introduce a single-component flat-rate pension from 2016. Instead of the current basic pension of £107 a week, plus various means-tested benefits, the new pension will be set at a flat rate of £144 a week, at current prices. Legislation which would bring this into force has been approved in principle by MPs and is now being considered by peers.....Read more here