Gavin Newlands raises state pension inequality in Parliament

Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has questioned the newly appointed Minister for Welfare
Delivery, Caroline Nokes MP, on the effects of the new single-tier state pension on gender equality.

Gavin and the Scottish National Party have campaigned relentlessly on the changes to the state pension age together with the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign group. In Women and Equalities questions
last week, Gavin once again highlighted this issue of pension inequality.

Thousands of women in Renfrewshire have had their state pension age increased with very little warning causing serious damage to their finances and future plans. However, the rules regarding the newly introduced single-tier state pension are also unfair on women. The new state pension will mean 350,000 women born between 1951 and 1953 retire on the old system, just before the new proposals come into force, whereas a man born on the same day will retire slightly later but receive a pension under the new arrangements.

Gavin said: “I was glad to be able to raise this issue in Parliament recently. The inequality caused by the changes to the state pension will only add to the unfairness experienced by thousands of women born in the 1950s. “I took the opportunity to question the newly appointed Minister on whether she agrees that a pensions commission must urgently be established to end further gender inequalities. We need to ensure that we get a fair universal
pensions system where pensioners are able to have dignity in their retirement.”