Craig Mackinlay MP, is to hold a conference to meet with all those affected by the changes to the Women’s State Pension age and those involved with the WASPI campaign.
Equalising State Pension Age was considered necessary both to meet the UK's obligations under EU law to eliminate gender inequalities in social security provision and to deal fairly with welcome increases in life expectancy. The Pensions Act 1995 legislated for the pension ages of both men and women to be equalised by 2020. Previously, women retired at 60, while men retired at 65.
Following sharp increases in life expectancy projections, the Government accelerated this process with the Pensions Act 2011 to secure the sustainability of the system. As a result of these changes, pension age increases sharply for women born between April 1951 and 1955, by which time pension age reaches 66. Some campaigners argue that there should have been no change at all, while others complain that formal notification from DWP came too late to plan for retirement.
Craig Mackinlay commented, “This is an issue which many local residents quite rightly feel incredibly passionate about. Through my work on the Work & Pensions Select Committee I have been carefully scrutinising the Government’s position on the subject, and have taken evidence from Ministers, actuaries and other specialists. I am keen to listen to constituents thoughts as to alternative solutions. I want to give all my constituents who are concerned about the changes the opportunity to meet with me and to discuss their views in detail.
This meeting will be open to all constituents of South Thanet and I would strongly encourage everyone to pass this invitation on to any friends or family members who may be interested in attending.”
The forum will be held on Saturday 21st May, between 10am – 11:30am at Ramsgate Football Club Function Room, Price’s Avenue, Ramsgate, CT11 0AN.
If you would like to attend the forum please contact Craig Mackinlay’s office on 01843 603242 or at Craig.Mackinlay.MP@Parliament.uk.