Nick Clegg targets the benefits of wealthy pensioners

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg
DAVID JONES/PA

Nick Clegg today set his sights on the free bus passes and TV licences of wealthy pensioners as he braced the Liberal Democrats for the “next wave” of welfare reform.

In a speech designed to portray his party as a permanent fixture in government, Mr Clegg said that the experience of two and a half years in power had helped give it “a harder edge and a more practical outlook”.

“The Liberal Democrats are now the party of welfare reform,” he said, “sensible, centre ground welfare reform.”

The next stage would have to include “extending conditionality”, he said, suggesting tighter rules for some claimants.

He also put himself at odds with David Cameron, who has pledged to support the benefits received by pensioners regardless of