According to the Government, the proposed single tier system is a way of simplifying state pensions, and helping those who otherwise wouldn’t get a decent one.

But critics claim it’s a “con trick” requiring future generations to work longer and pay more for less than they get now.

The Government’s proposals include a single flat-rate state pension, equivalent to around £144 in today’s money, to be introduced for new pensioners from 2017.

Prime Minister David Cameron insists the shake-up is “fair”. Appearing on ITV’s Daybreak, he said: “This will help a lot of women and a lot of lower-paid workers who otherwise wouldn’t get a decent state pension. We’re going to have later retirement ages as we’re all living longer. I think it’s fair to ask people to work a bit longer as we are all living longer.”

Ministers say the reform will create a simple flat-rate pension set above the means test (currently £142.70) and based on 35 years of National Insurance contributions, and will “hugely benefit” women, low earners and the self-employed, who under existing rules find it almost impossible to earn a full state pension.

They argue that, by replacing today’s complex system of add-ons and means-testing, the single tier will provide certainty to people about what they will get from the state and provide a better platform to save for retirement.

Pensions Minister Steve Webb said: “The current state pension system is too complicated and leaves millions of people needing means-tested top-ups. Our simple, single tier pension will provide a decent, solid foundation for new pensioners in an otherwise less certain world, ensuring it pays to save.”

Shipley MP Philip Davies said: “As with all changes of this nature, the devil is in the detail which needs to be carefully scrutinised, but in terms of what the Government are seeking to do – primarily to benefit women who have taken time off work to look after their children – I think that it is something which should be supported.”

Kris Hopkins, MP for Keighley and Ilkley, said: “People are living longer and we need to have a state pension scheme that is sustainable, affordable and fair. I am particularly pleased that the changes proposed in the White Paper are much fairer to women, especially mothers who have chosen to take a career break to be with their children. Under the current arrangements, they are penalised for doing so and that cannot be right.”

Keith Nathan, chief executive of the Bradford branch of the charity Age UK, said: “In general, the idea of a flat rate pension is fine, but given that the level of pensions in the UK is very poor compared with Europe, I really think we should look at the detail and see whether this is adequate and who may win and lose from it,” he said.

“I would certainly be in favour of moving from the poor pensions we have now and a means-based top-up system. It is a step forward if it is a good basic pension, but we need to see who would lose out.”

Tina Watkin, a member of Bradford District Senior Power, receives pension credit. She would like to know more about the proposal to compare the amount she gets now with what she could receive in future. It needs to adequately cover the cost of living, she says. “It is fine if it is an amount that people can manage on, but otherwise it will be disastrous.”

Danny Cox, head of advice at financial and investment company Hargreaves Lansdown, said reform of the state pensions sector was vital to rebuild UK retirement savings.

He said: “The current system is so immensely complicated with multiple state pensions – the basic pension, the Earnings Related pension. So you have people coming up to retirement eligible for a whole range of different pensions.

“As with any change, there are going to be winners and losers. High earners have the potential to lose out because the Maximum Earnings related pension of about £240 a week at the moment is going to be scrapped. In future it will be £144. Lower-rate earners will be topped up to the proposed £144. Something will be sliced off the top and given to the bottom.

“About five million public sector workers – doctors, teachers, firefighters – on Final Pension Salary schemes will pay more in National Insurance from 2017, but their pension benefits will be improved.

“The qualification period for a pension will go up from 30 years to 35 years. To get any state pension at all in future, a person will have to have ten years of paying in. At the moment people with nine qualifying years get something; after 2017 they won’t. I suppose these people will be picked up by the Minimum Income Guarantee.”

Bradford West MP George Galloway said: “This is another cynical attempt by the Government to portray what they are doing as a benefit, whereas it’s a naked attempt to cut costs and make people work longer.

“Yes, we have an ageing population. Yes, women should be afforded the same pension rights and entitlements as men, but forcing everyone to work for 35 years rather than 30 and imposing a cap – imposed simply to cut the state’s pension duty to it citizens – is intolerable.”

Bradford East MP David Ward welcomed it as a “fantastic step forward in terms of improving an incredibly complex and, in some ways, dysfunctional system we inherited”.

He added: “It is extremely good news for women and self- employed people who will be treated with equality.”