Should pensioner benefits be taxed?

Political point-scoring over whether or not we should give universal benefits to pensioners has been happening for years, would taxing the extra benefits received in old age solve the problem?

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls is the latest politician to bring up the sensitive topics of taxing pensioners and universal benefits. He made the mistake of saying that Labour would include the state pension in any cap on benefits, but quickly U-turned saying that the party would honour the 'triple lock' guarantee if it came to power.