Means tests for pensioner benefits urged

Tory moderniser Nick Boles also wants other universal benefits, such as free TV licences for the over-75s and winter fuel payments, to be means-tested from 2015, arguing older people must shoulder their fair share of spending cuts.

The MP, who is said to be part of the Prime Minister’s inner circle, admits it will be politically difficult but insists the Government must say it cannot protect the payments after the next election.

Addressing independent think tank the Resolution Foundation, Mr Boles said: “We need to acknowledge now that we will not be able to continue the protection of these other benefits for better-off pensioners after 2015. The coalition is going to be confronted with some very hard choices on public spending – in Government the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have already shown that we are willing and able to grit our teeth and take unpopular decisions in what we believe is the national interest.”