David Cameron has called for a shake-up in ministerial pay and benefits including looking into closing the MPs' final salary scheme to new members. I hope that's not just to show that politicians are in tune with the pensions 'real world'. Surely, it sends out the wrong signals?

We ought to consider every way of maintaining defined benefit schemes. If the MPs' scheme is expensive, how about looking to reduce the level of future benefits? Or is this simply another 'Yes Minister' episode. The closure of the scheme isn’t really going to happen, but by pretending it is, MPs get public sympathy before eventually settling on a less redical change. Which in fact was the change that they intended to settle on in the first place! Cynical, moi? See:

Ministerial salaries may be cut if Conservatives are elected (Times Online)