Born in the 70s? Work till you’re 68 to get a pension
MILLIONS of workers must graft an extra year after the Tories yesterday brought forward a rise in the pension age to 68.
The Government announced the change would start in 2037 – seven years earlier than planned
Around six million workers aged 39 to 47 will be affected. They expected the rise, from the age of 67, in 2044.
Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said: “The Government is picking the pockets of everyone in their late 40s and younger.”
Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke said he was forced into the move by rising life expectancy – claiming future retirees would claim a pension for 22 years on average.
But his bombshell came a day after health expert Sir Michael Marmot warned rises in life expectancy had stalled for the first time in 100 years.
Everyone born between April 6, 1970 and April 5, 1978 will be hit.
Mr Gauke said his move would save £74billion and be £250billion cheaper than Labour’s vow to cap the pension age at 66, which he branded “reckless and short-sighted”. But, hitting back, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Debbie Abrahams said: “This is an astonishing continuation of austerity that means 34 million people will work longer than under Labour’s plans. We can’t allow this Government to push people to work longer and longer.”
No10 denied claims news of the age rise was timed to be “buried” by BBC revelations of top stars’ pay.
THE pay chasm between men and women at the BBC is a scandal – the corporation is publicly funded and is supposedly committed to equality.
Licence-fee payers support a broadcasting gem that is still envied around the world. However, that gem has been badly tarnished.
When people, regardless of gender, pay an identical fee for their licence, you would expect a similar balance when it comes to remuneration of the stars and staff at the BBC.
Then there is the sheer level of remuneration. The Beeb’s explanation – that it has to compete with its commercial rivals – might, just might, carry a certain legitimacy in TV. But radio is a different story and the levels spent there show the sheer scale of its waste. There is, however, one positive... The next time Radio 4’s reactionary-in-chief John Humphrys has a go at the leader of a trade union representing low-paid workers we hope the General Secretary bites back at a broadcaster on up to £650,000 a year.
Transparency can benefit equality.