Universal benefits questioned
Universal benefits for the elderly should be reconsidered after 2015, Nick Clegg has said. The Deputy Prime Minister said it would be "difficult to explain" why the benefits were not up for consideration in a time of austerity.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said there was "no question" of the benefits being cut within this Parliament, while Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont urged Scotland to end universal benefits such as free prescriptions and university education.
On Today Labour MP Frank Field rejected means testing of OAP benefits, saying limiting by age was a better way of restricting access.
On the same programme Tory MP Mark Reckless said it was "absolutely crucial" to keep the benefits.