The state pension system is massively complex, expensive and failing to help pensioners, a think tank has claimed.

In a report published on Monday the Centre for Policy Studies called on ministers to simplify the current system by boosting the basic state pension and ditching means-tested benefits.

It argued that the basic state pension for a single person should be raised from £77.45 a week to £120 a week.

This could be done by abolishing the state second pension and reducing the tax rebates paid on private pension saving.

The author of the report, Charles Elphicke, argued that to ease pressure on the system the retirement age should be increased to 70.

He said that the changes would cost the same as the current system but would simplify the complex system of allowances and entitlements.

Elphicke challenged both the government and Conservative proposals on pensions, arguing they were too focused on short-term solutions.