The row that has erupted in government over the Pensions Commission report – even ahead of its publication next week – has two causes. The first is a fundamental disagreement about the role of the state in providing pensions. The second, equally fundamental, is that Gordon Brown, the chancellor, is not really interested in pensions.

The state can play one of two roles. It can be there simply to prevent poverty. If that is the case, only those who “need” help in old age get it. The result is a heavily means-tested system in which any private savings and pensions that an individual has are offset against the help the state offers.