Yes, Minister... We’re still furious!
It’s been all-change in Downing Street since we last reported on the row over reforms to women’s pension age. GH asked the new Pensions Minister, Richard Harrington, if we can expect a change of heart.
Good Housekeeping: A lot of women in their 50s and 60s feel they have been short changed by the pushing back of the new State Pension age. Will you be compensating them? Richard Harrington: I did look at this issue in detail – in fact, the question came right through to Number 10 for discussion – but I reached the conclusion that I had to rule it out on the basis of cost, the length of the legislation process it would need to have, and even the question of equality.
GH: Will the pension Triple Lock (keeping the rate of increase at the same as earnings, price increases or 2.5%, whichever is the higher) definitely continue? RH: It is certainly guaranteed until at least 2020, but after that I can’t say. It has been successful so far. If you look at pensioner poverty rates, the average income for pensioners has improved significantly since we brought in the new state pension.
GH: Are there any plans to bring forward the rise of the pension age to 68? RH: We’re waiting for the Cridland Review’s final recommendations before we decide whether to change the pension age and perhaps give people more flexibility as to when they retire, depending on their personal situation. However, the Government is committed now to giving 10 years’ notice of any changes, which is something we learnt to do from the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign.
GH: What about women having their National Insurance paid when they take time off to have children – will that continue? RH: There are no plans to change this in the future – in fact, we expect to see more workers taking advantage of it as more people take time out to care for elderly parents.