Proposals to raise the state pension age to 67 will have to be considered by the government as part of the answer to a looming pensions crisis, David Blunkett said yesterday.

The work and pensions secretary was speaking after a visit to the US, where the government has begun to phase in an increase in the state pension age from 65 to 67. Mr Blunkett said "that was the kind of debate" Britain would have following the final recommendations of the independent Pensions Commission.