Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Tuesday 30th January 2024

The Government has no plans to increase the State Pension to equal 48 hours at the National Living Wage or to be made available from age 60.

There has been no policy change since this topic was debated on 12 December 2022 (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/617603) and the e-petition response on 10th October 2023 (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/640356).
We are committed to ensuring economic security for people at every stage of their life, including when they reach retirement.

This year, the Government will spend over £152 billion directly on the State Pension and benefits for pensioners in Great Britain. Last year, the State Pension saw its biggest ever rise, increasing by 10.1%. The full yearly rate of the new State Pension is now over £10,600 per year. In addition, the full yearly amount of the basic State Pension is over £3,050 higher, in cash terms, than in 2010.

The Government has announced plans to increase the basic and new State Pension by 8.5%, in April 2024 in line with the Triple Lock commitment.

We also provide additional support to older people, which includes the provision of free bus passes, free prescriptions, Winter Fuel Payments, and Cold Weather Payments. The Government is committed to alleviating pensioner poverty. There are 200,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty (both before and after housing costs) than in 2009/10.

The Winter Fuel Payment, which this year also includes the £300 pensioner Cost of Living Payment, is paid on a household basis meaning a single pensioner will receive £500 or £600 depending on their age.

Around 1.4 million of the most vulnerable pensioners also receive some £5 billion of Pension Credit, which tops up their retirement income and is a passport to other financial help such as support with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and a free TV licence for those over 75.

Pension Credit is a means tested benefit and provides a top up for people of State Pension age to a weekly minimum amount, (currently £201.05 for single people and £306.85 for couples). These amounts may be higher for those with caring responsibilities, a severe disability or certain housing costs.

We have also reformed the State Pension system, introducing the new State Pension in 2016 as a simpler, clearer system to be a sustainable foundation for private saving. The new State Pension is set above the means-test level of Pension Credit to encourage private saving.

Automatic enrolment into workplace pensions was introduced in 2012 to help more people to save for their retirement – over 11 million employees have already been automatically enrolled into a workplace pension. Together, the new State Pension and Automatic Enrolment to workplace pensions provide a robust system for retirement provision for decades to come.

We have no plans to reverse changes to State Pension age. Changes to State Pension age were made over a series of Acts by successive governments from 1995 onwards, following public consultations and extensive debates in both Houses of Parliament. Reforms have focused on maintaining the right balance between the affordability, sustainability of the State Pension, and fairness between generations. The current state pension age is 66.

The second Government Review of State Pension age was published on 30 March 2023. It reconfirmed that the planned increase in State Pension age from 66 to 67 will take place between 2026-2028. It also concluded that there will be a further review within two years of the next Parliament to consider age 68. This further review will be supported by the latest evidence including life expectancy projections, updated with the 2021 Census data, and the economic position.
Finally, this Government is committed to providing a financial safety net for those who need it. Support is available through our benefit system to those who are unable to work or are on a low income but are not eligible for pensioner benefits because of their age.

Department for Work and Pensions