HC Deb 05 April 2001 vol 366 c262W
Mr. Davidson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the role of the basic pension is in overall pension provision in the UK. [156552]

Mr. Rooker

We aim to give everyone the chance to make their own choices about how they want to provide for their own retirement. The basic state pension is a secure foundation but, by itself, it was never meant to support the lifestyle most people want today. We believe the best way to have a secure retirement is to build up an extra amount on top of the state retirement pension.