Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing welcomes Government announcement over womens’ pensions

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing has welcomed a Government announcement that women who would have seen a two-year increase to their state pension age will now have their wait reduced to 18 months.

Mrs Laing had already raised the issue in the House of Commons when she asked a question, in June, of Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith as she highlighted the case of some 245,000 women who were born in 1954 who would have been adversely affected by the pension age change.

Mrs Laing’s question stated: “My right honorable Friend is absolutely right in all that he is doing. No one can object to the equalisation of pension ages for men and women when we are fighting so hard for other areas of equality.

“However, does he recognise that for a particular group of some 300,000 women born in 1954 the transition arrangements are rather more difficult than for any other group in society?

“Although he should not change his policy, will he look at other ways to help that particular group of women?

The Pensions Bill currently going through Parliament will now be amended from the current timetable to cap the increase at a maximum of 18 months.

Mrs Laing said: "This is great news for the 245,000 women around the country who will benefit from this change. It shows that the government has listened to the concerns of those who would have been worst affected by the increase in the state pension age.
“This means nobody will have to wait more than 18 months longer to receive their state pension.”