I was the only MP to address the annual Pensioners' Parliament of the National Pensioners' Convention in 2006 and I fully back their calls for real and immediate pension reform. I tabled the motion to adopt the Pensioners' Manifesto and believe that much more must be done.

I have long campaigned for the pensions link with earnings to be restored immediately rather than promising this for the future. While I am glad that the Government has promised this, I look forward to the plans being brought forward swiftly so that we can ensure that no pensioner misses out. To ensure proper dignity among today's pensioners the link - shamefully removed by the Thatcher government in 1980 - must be restored swiftly.