2,250 Hull women to gain from fairer deal on pensions

Hull North MP Diana Johnson today (16 January) voted for new Government pensions proposals that could see around 2,250 Hull women between 46 and 56 gain a full basic state pension.

Around 500,000 more women between 46 and 56 across the UK will get a full pension as a result of the fairer deal in Labour's Pensions Bill, which is being voted on in the House of Commons today. The Bill will introduce new weekly credits that count towards pensions for those caring for children or the seriously disabled, and cut the number of years people need to build up entitlement to a full basic state pension.

Around 40,000 women aged 46 to 56 are set to benefit from the reform in the Yorkshire and Humber region, equating to an average of 750 in every parliamentary constituency in the region.

Currently, only around 30 per cent of women retire with a full basic state pension compared to around 85 per cent of men. The Government has pledged to end this historic injustice with a new pensions settlement, which will also include restoring the basic state pension's link to earnings, rather than prices, in the next parliament.

Diana Johnson MP said: "Under Labour's plans around 2,250 extra Hull women currently aged between 46 and 56 will retire with a full basic state pension. This will make a big difference to people in Hull coming up to retirement. That is why I voted for the Pensions Bill in the House of Commons today."

John Hutton, Labour's Work and Pensions secretary, said: "This Labour Government is determined to end the historic injustice that currently sees the majority of women who have taken time out to look after their family unable to retire with a full basic state pension. I am very pleased that we are able to press on with these important changes in the Pensions Bill today."