A generous basic state pension is the least a civilized society should offer those who have worked hard and saved through their whole lives.

Well you know I've attracted a lot of criticism by, for example, suggesting that child benefit should be taken away from higher rate taxpaying families.

Well British pension funds have not been investing the savings of British people in British infrastructure.

We have supported the banks, they should be supporting the economy now.

We will also target tax evasion and off-shore tax havens... Everyone must pay their share.

There is a big problem. The problem is the country borrowed too much. We went on a borrowing binge, there was a housing boom. You want to help people de-leverage and deal with those debts over time.

I think it is absolutely central to our economic plan as a country not only that we put our own house in order but that we better connect ourselves with other parts of the world, particularly the faster growing parts of the world.