GOVERNMENT BACKBENCHERS have warned Taoiseach Brian Cowen that he faces an angry backlash from older voters if the government pushed ahead with proposals to cut the state pension, according to the Sunday Independent.

Independent TDs Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy Rae told the paper they are due to meet with Minister Brian Lenihan to discuss the cuts this week.

The government’s majority has been reduced to three (if the Independent TDs who have pledged their support for the government continue to do so) following the resignation of Donegal TD Jim McDaid last week.

Fears are growing within the government that the budget will not be passed, and that a number of Fianna Fáil TDs say they won’t support the budget if a pension cut is included, according to the Sunday Times.

The Sunday Tribune reports this morning that the cabinet has now backed down from plans to cut the pension.

Budget 2011 is due to be delivered on 7 December, and government ministers are meeting again today to discuss where €6bn will be cut.

Later today, Fine Gael will publish its plan to get the economy back on track if in government, according to RTÉ. The proposals include dismantling the HSE and FÁS, and introducing car pooling for ministers.

A Sunday Independent poll shows that while 61% of people want cross-party consensus on the budget, 61% think there will be a general election within the next three months.