Andrew MacGregor (Oxford Mail, March 23) asks about my record of work on pensions.
In fact, I was responsible for big steps forward, both in occupational pension protection and in tackling pensioner poverty.
The new Pension Protection Fund will, from next month, give protection to workers whose firms go bust. It was my proposal, and I argued successfully for it in Government.
I also set up the Financial Assistance Scheme for workers already left in the lurch by their employers, and won £400m from the Treasury.
The new Pensions Act, which I played a large part in putting together, gives much tougher powers to the Pensions Regulator and better advice and information to those investing in a pension.
I oversaw the payment of the £200 Winter Fuel Allowance, and brought in the Pension Credit, which ensures that no pensioner has to live on less than £109.45.
The equivalent figure under the Tories was just £69.
As a result of these and other measures, extra spending by Labour on pensioners reached £10bn this year, and Labour has helped more than 1 m pensioners out of absolute poverty.
Contrary to Mr MacGregor's claims, I worked hard to help all pensioners, and to help the poorest most of all. Andrew Smith MP, House of Commons
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