Concern over rise in pension age
MPS covering Halton have spoken during a debate in Westminster on the state pension age for women.
Derek Twigg and Mike Amesbury – Labour MPs for Halton and Weaver Vale respectively – discussed the issue during a session in the House Of Commons on Wednesday, July 5.
Through changes brought in by the Pensions Act 2011, the age for receiving the state pensions is increasing to 65 for women more quickly between April 2016 and November 2018.
By December next year, the state pension age for both men and women will begin to rise to reach 66 by October 2020.
The Pensions Act 2014 meanwhile has brought a planned rise from 66 to 67 in the state pension age by eight years for both men and women and will now come into force between 2026 and 2028.
Responding to a speech by fellow Labour MP Grahame Morris, Mr Twigg said the ‘human cost’ to the increase in the state pension age is ‘what matters here’ and spoke about issues affecting Halton residents.
Mr Twigg said: “Some of my constituents have told me that they have taken up, or plan to take up, caring responsibilities and are facing real financial difficulty – and once someone is over 60 it is difficult for them to get a decent job as well. ● Halton MP Derek Twigg, left, and Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury have spoken out in Parliament on the state pension age for eomen
“Those are real issues and the Government need to take those points on board.
“It is about time the Government listened and found a way forward, rather than burying their head in the sand.”
Mr Morris said every constituency is affected by the changes and said women deserve recognition of the ‘injustice’ they have suffered, as well as financial help to alleviate poverty.
He said Labour ‘intends’ to extend a pension credit to ‘hundreds of thousands’ of the ‘most vulnerable’ women.
He said: “I have heard some harrowing stories from women who have worked all their lives and now, through change of circumstance, have found themselves in the dire situation of having to sell their homes.
“They are facing enormous financial pressures because of changes in legislation that they were not aware of. That really needs to be put right.”
Mr Amesbury – whose Weaver Vale seat covers eastern parts of Runcorn, Dares- ● bury in Frodsham – said 4,000 of his constituents are affected by the state pension age changes.
He highlighted the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign as part of his recent election success.
He said: “The only garden path the WASPI campaign led me up was to election victory and the removal of the Conservative member for Weaver Vale.
“Do the maths: the majority of the former MP was 806; I had 4,400 very powerful WASPI women.
“I want to thank them for their campaign and I hope they continue to shake this place up until they get justice.”