Peter Aldous joins a group of MPs seeking a solution to help women affected by an increase in the state pension age.

Peter said:

“On 25 April, I was 1 of 6 cross-party MPs who attended the meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality for Women. Representatives from each of the groups who had responded to the recent consultation were also present.

“The findings of the consultation and the next steps were discussed in some detail and it was agreed that a Bill should now be prepared, which will provide for the Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions to review pension arrangements for women born in the 1950s and to consider costings for the following solutions:-

• Non means-tested, no strings attached, payment for all women aged 63 and over from the day that it is approved until they reach state pension age [not backdated];
• Equalisation of women’s pensions so that everyone receives a full state pension [£159 per week] regardless of the number of years of National Insurance contributions they have accrued;
• Extended Pension Credit for those women worst affected who have no other income or private pension available to them and are suffering financial hardship.

“At present the 2nd Reading of the Bill has been deferred until 15th June. It is unlikely that the Bill will be considered on this date as there are a number of other Bills ahead of it on the House of Commons Order Paper. The intention is to seek a Second Reading for an alternative date probably in the Autumn when further dates are announced. An alternative course to consider is that if the Government bring forward legislation relating to Pensions, it may be possible to incorporate the provisions of this Bill in an amendment.”

The consultation report is available through a link on the APPG’s website: http://www.waspi-appg.org.uk/