Minister says older women should retrain

 The pensions minister has been ridiculed after suggesting that women aged over 64 who are losing thousands of pounds due to the rise in the state pension age could do apprenticeships.

Guy Opperman said in a Westminster Hall debate that the Government will not change its policy to help the women but will help them to get a job. He said: “I suggest there is a massive amount that this Government has done on a progressive basis to get people back into employment or retraining in their pre-pension years.”

He added: “We have also extended apprenticeship opportunities as one of the best routes to skilled employment for people of all ages and gender.”

The pension age for women has been gradually increasing to come in line with men’s. It will now be 65 by 2018 and 66 by 2020. The increase will see millions lose up to £12,000 in pension and pension credit.

Mr Opperman was heckled by MPS. Labour’s Graham Jones said: “I’m struggling to hear the debate. Did the minister just say that women aged 64 could go on an apprenticeship?”