PM in pensions u-turn to address concerns of women

The government is expected to perform a minor u-turn on increasing the default age at which men and women can claim the state pension. It has been pushed back six months to October 2020.

The amendment will mean that women who are having their state pension age brought forward will be changed from those born between April 1953 and May 1953 to those born between December 1953 and January 1954.

Additionally, it seems likely that women will not have to work for two extra years in order to get their state pension. This will mean that the government’s pension bill will be amended.

The bill had previously meant that half a million women born in the early 1950’s would have had to work for an extra two years than they had planned for in order to qualify for the state pension.

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director of Age UK said: "We welcome the changes that have been made, they have listened to our concerns and we appreciate that it is a significant financial commitment from the Government at a difficult time. This will give a much needed 6 month respite to all the women who would have had to work an extra two years.”

The third and final reading of the Pensions bill has to be completed by the 18th October and the Prime Minister, David Cameron has said that amendments will be made to the bill for women who are most seriously affected. Yesterday was the deadline for these amendments and four amendments were submitted by a group of six Liberal Democrat MP’s.

Mr Cameron said: "We are looking at what transitional help we can give to this group of people and will make an announcement shortly."

The government has come under increasing pressure to review the increased in the age at which women are allowed to take their state pension as recent data suggests that the Conservative party are losing the support of women in the polls.

Pensions Minister has already said that transitional arrangements will be put in place for women most affected by the changes.

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