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David Ward MP <>
David calls for rethink on state pension age changes
May 26, 2011 5:10 PM
Bradford East MP, David Ward, is calling on the Government to look again at its plans to speed up the increase in the State Pension Age for women.
Under the Government's plans the State Pension Age for women will reach 65 in 2018, instead of 2020 as previously planned. This will result in 300,000 women born between December 1953 and October 1954 having to work up to two years longer before they receive their pension.
David Ward has signed a Parliamentary motion calling on the Government to scrap the planned rise and has threatened to vote against the change in the House of Commons unless there is significant movement.
Commenting, David Ward said:
"I accept that the State Pension Age needs to rise to ensure that people get a decent pension on retirement, but the suddenness of the change will leave many women feeling like they have had the rug pulled from under them.
"A lot of constituents have contacted me about this issue and there is clearly a real and justified concern that women have not been given enough time to prepare for this change. Women who have already been told that they would have to delay their retirement by four years are understandably angry that they are now being hit by a further delay.
"This change in policy was not in the Coalition agreement and therefore Liberal Democrats are under no obligation to back it. I will be asking ministers to look at the timetable again and if there is no change I will consider using my vote to oppose the rise."
EDM 1402 on the State Pension Age for Women can be found here: http://www.edms.org.uk/2010-11/1402.htm