Episode details
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Nick Robinson shines a light on the process by which controversial decisions are reached behind closed doors in Westminster and Whitehall. This week, he and his guests discuss whether the benefits for pensioners that top up the basic state pension should be paid to all pensioners, including the very well-off. Should the winter fuel allowance, free bus pass, prescriptions and eye tests, and free TV licences for the over 75s be scrapped, means-tested, or protected at all costs? Decision Time examines how a decision that could face a government of any political complexion at the present time might be taken or blocked in Westminster and Whitehall with those who know the business of government and politics are done. Joining Nick Robinson for this edition are Lord Turnbull, the former Cabinet Secretary; Peter Hain MP, former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; Ros Altmann, Director-General of Saga; Chris Skidmore, Conservative MP, who has written about the 21st century welfare state; and Sean Worth, a former Number 10 adviser in the Coalition Government and now at the Policy Exchange think tank. Producer: Rob Shepherd.
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