Member

I do not need the money. I have long said that the payment does not make sense. When I was director-general of Saga, I arranged a scheme whereby any of our Saga customers who did not want or need the money could donate it to the Surviving Winter charity appeal to help poorer households survive through the winter, or perhaps to help them with a new boiler. The charity does different kinds of work, not just for pensioners; it would be across the piece. That so many people donated this money was a demonstration of the fact that it was not well targeted. I do that myself, and I declare an interest in that my measure would retain money that I get that I do not need, and of course many noble Lords around the House do not need it, but that is not the point.