Shadow communities secretary Hilary Benn has hit out at the ‘hypocrisy' of ministers for scrapping councillors' pensions while they keep their own.

Speaking after Labour leader Ed Miliband launched an Early Day Motion to call for a full debate in parliament on the issue, Mr Benn said: ‘It is hypocritical for ministers who are themselves saving for a ministerial pension to deny the same chance to councillors.'

He dismissed Brandon Lewis's comments as ‘insulting nonsense' after the local government minister said joining the pension scheme could have a ‘corrosive influence on… independent thought'.