Latest news with #NewSatePension
Daily Record
3 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.'
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New calls to end frozen State Pension policy for over 100,000 Brits living in Canada
Campaigners are urging Prime Minister Carney to raise the issue of State Pension uprating at the state opening of the Canadian Parliament. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? Campaigners have written to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ahead of the state opening of parliament on Tuesday, calling for an end to the so-called ' Frozen Pensions ' scandal which affects more than 100,000 expats living in the country. Campaigners are urging 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. Following the 4.1 per cent rise in April, the full New Sate Pension is worth £921 every month during the 2025/26 financial year, while the full Basic State Pension is worth £705.80. 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, 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. 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. 'The State Opening of Parliament is 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. '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.' 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.' The King will make history when he becomes only the second British monarch to give the address at the state opening of the Canadian parliament. Charles' second day in the capital Ottawa will see him follow the precedent set by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 and open the first session of the 45th parliament. The King will be delivering the words of the Canadian government, similar to a UK State opening of parliament, but commentators will be looking for any veiled references to US President Donald Trump. Canada has faced the unwanted attention of Mr Trump who has launched a trade war against his neighbour and made threats to annex the country as America's 51st state.
Daily Record
03-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
State Pension uprating will not be paid to nearly half a million older people this year
The State Pension is worth up to £921 each month during the 2025/26 financial year. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? Around 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. Following the 4.1 per cent rise last month, the full New Sate Pension will be worth £921 every month during the 2025/26 financial year, while the full Basic State Pension is worth £705.80. However, campaigners representing nearly half a million State Pensioners who now live abroad are hopeful that the recent election of Mark Carney as Prime Minister of Canada will help end the so-called 'frozen pensions policy'. Mr Carney worked in the UK for several years, most notably as the Governor of the Bank of England and the End Frozen Pensions Campaign is highlighting how it is likely that the 59-year-old will qualify for a UK State Pension, despite relocating back to Canada. But , much like over 100,000 ex-pats resident in Canada getting the State Pension, it could be frozen at the level it is when he first claims it. Campaigners explain how this is the result of the UK Government's long-standing policy which sees hundreds of thousands of UK State Pensioners miss out on the annual payment increase as a consequence of retiring overseas to certain countries. These include mostly Commonwealth countries, including Canada and Australia, which are impacted by this policy, whereas retirees living in the USA or EU countries are eligible for the same considerations related to their State Pension had they remained in the UK. Edwina Melville-Grey, Chair of End Frozen Pensions Canada, said: 'We don't imagine for a moment that Mr Carney will be reliant on whatever UK State Pension he might be entitled to. However, we know for sure that many thousands of the UK State Pensioners living in affected countries, including those in Canada, see their UK State Pension as a vital lifeline helping them through arduous times. 'We know that he has many immense challenges on his desk right now and wish him well in meeting those. But we hope he will be able, when the time is right, to meet with our lead campaigner on this issue, 100-year-old Anne Puckridge. Her situation embodies the injustice of this scandal.' Anne travelled to the UK in December 2024 to lobby the UK Government, asking for the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to meet with her on the matter. But he declined the invitation. For the past 24 years, the 100-year-old Second World War veteran of all three-armed forces has received a State Pension of just £72.50 per week - less than half the £176.45 she would be entitled to in April 2024 had she not left the UK at the age of 76 after having worked her entire life in the UK. Many of the other affected pensioners are much worse off with half receiving £65 a week or less. Campaigners say that some pensioners are receiving as little as £20.00 a week. John Duguid, Chair of End Frozen Pensions International, said: 'Simply more needs to be done to address the 'frozen' pensions policy in diplomatic settings, and the election of Mark Carney as Canada's Prime Minister paints the perfect opportunity to do so. 'The current political appetite surrounding trade and negotiations further reinforces the point that the cost to unfreeze pensions is extremely modest and will be an essential lifeline to many affected pensioners who are struggling to make ends meet.' The International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP) advocates on behalf of around 453,000 expats affected by 'frozen pensions' and is behind the 'End Frozen Pensions' campaign, which aims to 'end the injustice' for Brits who have moved abroad whose State Pension does not rise in-line with the Triple Lock every April. Analysis by the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners indicates that all these frozen State Pensions could be brought in-line with the current State Pension pay rates by the new Labour Government for £50 million. Its analysis shows that State Pension payments to frozen countries only amounts to 1.3 per cent of the UK Government's total annual expenditure. You can find out more about the End Frozen Pensions Campaign on their website here. State Pension payments 2025/26 The DWP has published the full list of State Pension and benefit uprated payments on here, which also includes additional elements such as the deferred rates, which are rising by 1.7 per cent (September Consumer Price Index inflation rate). Full New State Pension Weekly payment: £230.25 (from £221.20) Fortnightly payment: £460.50 (from £442.40) Four-weekly payment: £921 (from £884.80) Annual amount: £11,973 (from £11,502) Full Basic State Pension Weekly payment: £176.45 (from £169.50) Fortnightly payment: £352.90 (from £339) Four-weekly payment: £705.80 (from £678) Annual amount: £9,175 (from £8,814) Future State Pension increases The Labour Government has pledged to honour the Triple Lock or the duration of its term and the latest predictions show the following projected annual increases: 2025/26 - 4.1% (the forecast was 4%) 2026/27 - 2.5% 2027/28 - 2.5% 2028/29 - 2.5% 2029/30 - 2.5% Article continues below Recent analysis released by Royal London revealed only around half of people receiving the New State Pension last year were getting the full weekly amount - and around 150,000 were on less than £100 per week.
Daily Record
21-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New State Pension rates due this month will not be paid to 450,000 older people
Nearly half a million people will not get new State Pension payments of up to £230.25 per week during the 2025/26 financial year. Following the 4.1 per cent rise on April 7, the full New Sate Pension will be worth £921 every four-week payment period during the 2025/26 financial year, 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 representing nearly half a million ex-pats are hopeful that the recent election of Mark Carney as Prime Minister of Canada will help end the so-called 'frozen pensions policy'. Mr Carney worked in the UK for several years, most notably as the Governor of the Bank of England and the End Frozen Pensions Campaign is highlighting how it is likely that the 59-year-old will qualify for a UK State Pension, despite relocating back to Canada. However, much like over 100,000 ex-pats resident in Canada getting the State Pension, it could be frozen at the level it is when he first claims it. Campaigners explain how this is the result of the UK Government's long-standing policy which sees hundreds of thousands of UK State Pensioners miss out on the annual payment increase as a consequence of retiring overseas to certain countries. These include mostly Commonwealth countries, including Canada and Australia, which are impacted by this policy, whereas retirees living in the USA or EU countries are eligible for the same considerations related to their State Pension had they remained in the UK. Edwina Melville-Grey, Chair of End Frozen Pensions Canada, said: 'We don't imagine for a moment that Mr Carney will be reliant on whatever UK State Pension he might be entitled to. However, we know for sure that many thousands of the UK State Pensioners living in affected countries, including those in Canada, see their UK State Pension as a vital lifeline helping them through arduous times. 'We know that he has many immense challenges on his desk right now and wish him well in meeting those. But we hope he will be able, when the time is right, to meet with our lead campaigner on this issue, 100-year-old Anne Puckridge. Her situation embodies the injustice of this scandal.' Anne travelled to the UK in December 2024 to lobby the UK Government, asking for the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to meet with her on the matter. But he declined the invitation. For the past 24 years, the 100-year-old Second World War veteran of all three-armed forces has received a State Pension of just £72.50 per week - less than half the £176.45 she would be entitled to in April 2024 had she not left the UK at the age of 76 after having worked her entire life in the UK. Many of the other affected pensioners are much worse off with half receiving £65 a week or less. Campaigners say that some pensioners are receiving as little as £20.00 a week. John Duguid, Chair of End Frozen Pensions International, said: 'Simply more needs to be done to address the 'frozen' pensions policy in diplomatic settings, and the election of Mark Carney as Canada's Prime Minister paints the perfect opportunity to do so. 'The current political appetite surrounding trade and negotiations further reinforces the point that the cost to unfreeze pensions is extremely modest and will be an essential lifeline to many affected pensioners who are struggling to make ends meet.' The International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP) advocates on behalf of around 453,000 expats affected by 'frozen pensions' and is behind the 'End Frozen Pensions' campaign, which aims to 'end the injustice' for Brits who have moved abroad whose State Pension does not rise in-line with the Triple Lock every April. Analysis by the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners indicates that all these frozen State Pensions could be brought in-line with the current State Pension pay rates by the new Labour Government for £50 million. Its analysis shows that State Pension payments to frozen countries only amounts to 1.3 per cent of the UK Government's total annual expenditure. here. State Pension payments 2025/26 The DWP has published the full list of State Pension and benefit uprated payments on here, which also includes additional elements such as the deferred rates, which are rising by 1.7 per cent (September Consumer Price Index inflation rate). Full New State Pension Weekly payment: £230.25 (from £221.20) Fortnightly payment: £460.50 (from £442.40) Four-weekly payment: £921 (from £884.80) Annual amount: £11,973 (from £11,502) Full Basic State Pension Weekly payment: £176.45 (from £169.50) Fortnightly payment: £352.90 (from £339) Four-weekly payment: £705.80 (from £678) Annual amount: £9,175 (from £8,814) Future State Pension increases The Labour Government has pledged to honour the Triple Lock or the duration of its term and the latest predictions show the following projected annual increases: 2025/26 - 4.1%, the forecast was 4% 2026/27 - 2.5% 2027/28 - 2.5% 2028/29 - 2.5% 2029/30 - 2.5% Recent analysis released by Royal London revealed only around half of people receiving the New State Pension last year were getting the full weekly amount - and around 150,000 were on less than £100 per week.
