As credibility in private pensions dips, Lib Dems push National Savings plans

The Lib Dems' work expert has spent much of his career immersed in tax and pensions issues, in political terms he is a rare specialist

For a man who has spent his career analysing the minutiae of tax and benefits policy, Steve Webb, the Liberal Democrats' spokesman on work and pensions, is a great believer in the simplification of retirement provision. He believes it is time for government to tackle public suspicion of both state and private provision and is prepared to allocate at least £3bn, by far the party's biggest spending commitment, to solving the problem. A rare specialist in a political sphere stuffed with career party workers, ex-lecturers and former lawyers, he has spent his career immersed in the world of ta...