My view is pensioners don't have the one option that people of working age have. They can't really increase their income, because they are no longer able to work.

Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man.

Look, I've always said from the word go many years ago that I felt the whole bonus culture, they need to think very carefully about being detached from the rest of the British public.

If you look at the footballers, you look at our celebrity culture, we seem to be saying, 'This is the way you want to be'. We seem to be a society that celebrates all the wrong people.

My personal view is always I'm in favour of anything that gives parliament a greater say. That's after all what we were elected for.

By measuring the proportion of children living with the same parents from birth and whether their parents report a good quality relationship we are driving home the message that social programmes should promote family stability and avert breakdown.

Aspiration, it seems, is in danger of becoming the preserve of the wealthy.