Thursday, 13 October 2011

Whiteford Welcomes Pensions Age Rise Delay

SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson, Eilidh Whiteford MP, has welcomed confirmation that plans to raise the state pension age to 66 in 2020 will be delayed to address concerns that thousands of women will be unfairly disadvantaged.

Dr Whiteford said the decision was a victory for women who had campaigned against the UK government’s plans.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford:

“This is a welcome retreat by the UK Government and a victory for the thousands of women who campaigned against these unfair changes.

“These changes would have wrecked the retirements of thousands of women, already in their late 50s, and denied them the time to make alternative pension arrangements.

“We must now see the full detail of the UK Government’s transitional proposals to be certain that they go far enough and will help all the women affected.”