A generation of female pensioners have been left in poverty by the government, according to the National Pensioners Convention (NPC).

The accusations are made in following a written parliamentary answer by pensions minister Mike O'Brien to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Steve Webb.

Mr O'Brien stated that 754,000 women pensioners between the ages of 60 and 69 receive no state pension because they have not made the minimum 25 per cent of national insurance contributions (NIC) in order to qualify for the benefit.

NPC vice-president Dot Gibson said that the new Pension Act has made no provision for those who have already retired and that these women are an "abandoned generation" that the government has failed to help.

"Around one in five older people still live below the official poverty line and whilst ministers talk of respect and dignity, there can be no dignity until all pensioners ... get a decent state pension as of right that takes them out of means-testing and financial insecurity," she aid.

The basic state pension is paid for by NICs and is currently £87.30 for a single person.