Income tax and pensions in South Glos

Over the last seven days in South Gloucestershire, thanks to the Liberal Democrats being in Government:

• 122,000 people are getting a £200 income tax cut - benefiting 23 million people across the country
• 4,100 people have been lifted out of paying income tax altogether, with more to come
• 53,100 pensioners have been given an extra £4.50 a week – and those retiring from today will be on average £15,000 better off over their retirement.

This week also saw Steve Webb, as  Pensions Minister, announcing that the Government will be introducing a simple, flat-rate state pension of £140 to replace the current complicated, unfair and means-tested system.

Steve Webb gets ministerial post

Steve Webb has just become Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions.

Congratulations, Steve!

An excellent appointment - there aren't many people who know more about pensions than Steve does.

Full list of ministers from the Guardian here