Latest news with #LizJarvis
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
New DWP update on State Pension payments for people not due annual uprating
Nearly half a million people will not get new State Pension payments of up to £230.25 per week this year. Following the 4.1 per cent rise in April, the full New Sate Pension is now worth £921 every four-week payment period, while the full Basic State Pension has increased to £705.80. However, an estimated 453,000 pensioners are living in a country which does not have a reciprocal agreement with the UK Government resulting in them not receiving the annual State Pension uprating. This is despite having paid the necessary amount of National Insurance Contributions to receive the state Pension. Campaigners have fought tirelessly to rectify the policy, but on Thursday the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed it has 'no plans to review such reciprocal social security agreements'. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell gave the written response to Liberal Democrat MP Liz Jarvis, who asked if the DWP 'plans to review its policy on freezing State Pensions for people who move abroad'. Just last month, campaigners wrote to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ahead of the state opening of parliament on May 27, calling for an end to the so-called 'Frozen Pensions' scandal which affects more than 100,000 expats living in the country. Campaigners urged the former governor of the Bank of England, to 'insist' that addressing the frozen State Pensions 'must form part of any further trade, defence or cultural agreements between the UK and Canada'. Around the globe, some 442,000 British pensioners are living in a country which does not have a reciprocal agreement with the UK Government resulting in them not receiving the annual State Pension uprating. The result is that many retired expats living in Canada receive such low levels of UK State Pension that they fall under Canadian minimum income thresholds, thus qualifying for Canadian taxpayer-funded benefits. After Australia, the country is the second largest host of UK pensioners impacted by the Frozen Pensions scandal. In the letter to Mr Carney on May 20, the 'End Frozen Pensions' campaign argues that 'bringing an end to this discrimination would reduce Canada's costs,' insisting that ending the Frozen Pensions policy is now 'a matter of fairness, dignity, and economic justice' that is 'long overdue for resolution.' Second World War veteran, Mrs Anne Puckridge, is among the victims of the Frozen Pensions scandal. The 100-year-old moved to Canada in 2001 to be closer to her daughter and receives just £72.50 per week from the UK State Pension. This is less than half the £176.45 weekly rate she would be entitled to if she had remained in the UK, or lived across the border in the USA. Campaigners said the policy has caused her severe emotional distress as, like most other victims, she says she was never told her UK State Pension would be frozen at the point of emigration. As a result, the Canadian government is providing her with additional means-tested financial support to help her afford basic living costs. At the time, Edwina Melville-Gray, Chair of End Frozen Pensions Canada, said: 'It is clear this outdated and deeply hurtful policy is heightening tensions between Canada and the UK." She explained how the State Opening of Parliament was Mr Carney's "chance to set the record straight and insist that it will no longer tolerate paying for British pensioners in Canada while the UK shows no interest in fulfilling its moral duty towards them". The campaigner continued: "Canada more than meets its end of the bargain here by paying out a fully indexed State Pension to all its citizens worldwide, including Canadians in the UK. Mr Carney should insist that if the UK is to meaningfully trade and negotiate with Canada, it must reconsider its own approach to overseas state pensions.' However, despite the letter and turnout of campaigners on the day to have their voices heard, the topic was not raised. The Canadian government has been publicly calling for an end to the 'Frozen Pensions' policy for over four decades and in October last year, a total of 158 Canadian and UK parliamentarians united to urge the Labour Government to redress the situation. Campaigners are urging Prime Minister Carney to leverage this issue ahead of key trade and defence spending negotiations expected between the two countries amid a complex and volatile geopolitical backdrop. The 'End Frozen Pensions' campaign argues: 'Canada fairly adjusts pensions for its citizens living in the UK, but the UK's refusal to enter into a reciprocal agreement not only creates an unjust disparity but also imposes a financial burden on Canadian social services.'
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Eastleigh driving test backlog hits 6 months with one learner travelling 100 miles
An MP has welcomed new measures to combat driving test-buying bots and deliver 10,000 extra tests monthly. Eastleigh's Liberal Democrat MP, Liz Jarvis, had sent a letter to the transport secretary earlier this month, urging action on Eastleigh's six-month test booking backlog. The scarcity of tests has led learners to unofficial test-cancellation apps, which the DVSA warns against due to privacy issues and scam risks. The government plans to investigate potential abuse of the booking system and prevent bots from accessing tests. READ MORE: Weedkiller ban could help swifts, starlings and toads thrive, says MP MP Liz Jarvis hails measures to deliver 10,000 extra driving tests monthly (Image: Supplied) The number of permanent trainers will be doubled to quickly upskill new driving examiners. Ms Jarvis said: "Once learner drivers pass their theory tests, they face wait times to book a practical test of up to six months in Eastleigh – a problem exacerbated further by the April 2022 closure of a local centre in Southampton. "One illuminating case has seen a 17-year-old learner in my constituency having to book a test for January 2025 in Yeovil, nearly 100 miles away."
BBC News
05-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Devolution: Hampshire and Solent part of fast-track initiative
Hampshire and the Solent region will be part of the devolution fast-track initiative, the government has decision to fast-track the application will establish a new Strategic Mayoral Authority for Southampton, Portsmouth, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight, with elections for the new mayor now likely to be held in May decision means the upcoming county council election has been cancelled, something Eastleigh MP Liz Jarvis said was a "disgraceful stitch up".But the leaders of Southampton City, Hampshire County, Portsmouth City and Isle of Wight councils welcomed the move. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced six new potential devolution areas, one of which was Hampshire and Solent, on Wednesday."These places will get a fast-track ticket to drive real change in their area," Rayner told the House of Commons. Jarvis, the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, said the postponement of elections would deny voters the chance to remove the Conservatives from power."Liberal Democrats oppose this decision and will continue to fight for voters in Hampshire to be heard," she Portsmouth South's Labour MP Stephen Morgan called it a "momentous day for our city"."We now have the opportunity to bring investment to our communities, create much-needed jobs, and deliver prosperity to Portsmouth," he said. Additional funding The councils involved all welcomed the City Council leader Lorna Fielker said being accepted on the fast-track program was a "major step forward"."Devolving powers from Westminster to a regional mayor will mean decisions about our transport network, major infrastructure investment, employment support programmes and more will be made locally," she County Council leader Nick Adams-King said it was a "fantastic opportunity", adding the fact Hampshire and Solent had been chosen showed the government recognised the area's "substantial devolution opportunities".The leader of Portsmouth City Council Steve Pitt said he had ideally wanted a deal for the Solent area without an elected mayor, but the news was still a good opportunity."We now focus on what we can do to make a positive impact for our area, and one benefit a Mayor would bring is a seat for our region at the government's new Council of Nations and Regions," he Jordan, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said devolution would shift policy-making powers and additional funding to local authorities."This change is expected to provide greater local control over vital areas such as major transport infrastructure, and health services, giving residents more power to shape the things that are important to them and ensuring robust local accountability," he said. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
