PFI Pensions

It is, of course, a fundamental tenet of Daveybloke's Big Society thingy that the Government owes nothing to its citizens, who should all cultivate the entrepreneurial gumption and zealous work ethic which enabled Daveybloke and his chums to be born rich. Accordingly, Daveybloke and his chums share New Labour's fear of being forced by malignant hordes of over-sixties into spending more money on poor and wrinkly people than their delicate consciences allow. Daveybloke and his chums have therefore suddenly discovered that they agree with a Labour idea to get Britain scrimping by the simple expedient of eliminating all that nonsense about consumer choice. In a couple of years employers and workers, of whatever size or salary, will be legally obliged to make a contribution towards the profit margins of private pension companies. This is obviously a much nicer and more efficient way of solving the problem than the laughably clumsy and outmoded formula From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs; which, as we all know, can lead to National Insurance, the NHS, a joined-up transport system and a myriad other evils. Assuming the pension companies are sufficiently unregulated to permit any savings to accumulate, means-tested benefits will doubtless be withdrawn accordingly. Fortunately, the Government intends to allow a three-month waiting period before the first payments have to be made, so thrifty employers will be able to save their own money by judicious use of the sack.