Lenihan hints at pain for pensioners in next Budget

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has today given a strong hint that pensioners will not escape the savage cuts in December's Budget.

While on a visit to the US, Minister Lenihan said that all expenditure needs to be examined.

He has also maintained that the tax base will have to be broadened to bring in lower-paid workers, but is adamant our low corporation tax rate will not be changed.

Minister Lenihan told Bloomberg TV that pensions are in the firing line for December's Budget, although he did not clarify whether he means public sector or otherwise.

"We’ve looked at out welfare bill, we have to look at our pensions bill, we’ve to look right across our capital investment projects," he said.