CAROLINE Lucas, the MP for Brighton Pavilion, has tabled an amendment to the Pensions Bill to prevent a situation in which hundreds of thousands of women could be left with smaller state pensions than men of the same age.
The Government’s Pensions Bill has its report stage and third reading in the Commons today. As it is currently drafted, up to 700,000 women born between April 1951 and April 1953 could be at a double disadvantage. Their state pension age has been raised, but they will not qualify for the new single-tier pension, whereas men of their age will. While not all women in this group will be worse off, many will.
Under Lucas’ amendment, the women affected would have the right to choose between the existing state pension and the new one, and the Government would have a duty to provide information allowing them to make a decision.
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:
“The proposals for the new flat rate pension could leave hundreds of thousands of women at a disadvantage. Many of my constituents feel discriminated against. This is an unnecessary unfairness which the Government could easily address.”
More broadly, Lucas, the Green Party MP, has argued that the Bill will still leave many people worse off, and will do nothing for existing pensioners on low incomes. She is calling for a universal, non-means tested state pension for all, set at the rate of the official poverty line and linked to average earnings.
She has sponsored an Early Day Motion calling on ministers to pay greater attention to existing pensioner poverty, and the needs of those who will reach state pension age before the introduction of the new system. She has also called for a fairer taxation system to help provide free long term care.
Lucas, added:
“We need a fairer deal for all older people, and a decent state pension for all. The single tier pension of £144 a week is less than the official poverty level, and lower than the amount set out in the Pensions White Paper. The Government’s proposals do nothing to help existing pensioners on low incomes, or those who will reach the pension age before 2017.
“Ministers need to recognise that what matters to people is weekly income, not theoretical averages. Under their plans, many people will be worse off. A higher state pension age means people with lower life expectancy will receive less back in return for a lifetime of contributions. “