Latest news with #PetitionsParliament
Daily Record
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
New update on calls to increase State Pension to £427 each week to match minimum wage
More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition supporting calls to increase the State Pension to match the National Living Wage rate. More than 10,100 people have signed an online petition urging the UK Government to increase the New State Pension from £11,973 a year to £22,000, matching the annual income of someone working a 35-hour week on the National Living Wage. The petition is now entitled to a written response, most-likely from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The proposal put forward by Ken Marshall has been posted on the UK Government's Petitions Parliament website and would see all pensioners receive £427.35 each week - some £1,709 every four-week payment period - in-line with the 2025/26 National Living Wage rate of £12.21 per hour. The campaigner argues that the discrepancy between the State Pension and National Living Wage payments is 'distressing' and 'we must not allow our senior citizens, who have contributed so much to our society, to struggle through their sunset years'. Mr Marshall says that bringing the payments for 13 million pensioners into line with the National Living Wage is a 'matter of fairness and respect'. The 'pay pensioners the equivalent of the living wage of a 35 hour week ' petition has been posted on the Petitions Parliament website and states: 'The full rate of the New State Pension is now £11,973 a year, while the annual income derived from the National Living Wage for a 35-hour week will be above £22,000. We think there is a distressing discrepancy between these two figures. 'We must not allow our senior citizens, who have contributed so much to our society, to struggle through their sunset years. We consider that it is a matter of fairness and respect. We all deserve a decent life when we get old.' It concludes: 'We believe that all pensioners must receive the equivalent of the living wage at 35 hours a week as a minimum. This could ensure a better quality of life for our country's senior citizens and help ensure that no elderly person in our society has to face financial hardship.' At 100,000, the petition would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can view it in full here. National Minimum Wage rates 2025/26 The National Minimum Wage for people over 21 is now: £12.21 per hour £427.35 for a typical 35-hour working week £,709.40 every four-week pay period or £1,851.85 per month £22,222.20 over the 2025/26 financial year State Pension payment rates 2025/26 Full New State Pension Weekly payment: £230.25 Four-weekly payment: £921 Annual amount: £11,973 Full Basic State Pension Weekly payment: £176.45 Four-weekly payment: £705.80 Annual amount: £9,175 Future State Pension increases The Labour Government has pledged to honour the Triple Lock or the next five years 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% The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently rejected proposals in a similar petition calling for the State Pension to increase to £549 every week for every person over the age of 60. In a written response earlier this year, the DWP said that the UK Government 'has no plans to make State Pension available from the age of 60 or to increase State Pension to equal 48 hours of work a week at the National Living Wage'. The DWP response said that the UK Government is 'committed to supporting current and future generations of pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement' and highlighted Labour's commitment to the Triple Lock for the duration of this Parliament. The DWP continued: 'The State Pension and the National Living Wage have different purposes, and a direct comparison cannot be drawn. The National Living Wage is designed to protect low-income workers and provide an incentive to work. 'It is also worth noting that while State Pension is an entitlement based on a person's National Insurance record, it is legally a benefit. From the time of the 1946 National Insurance Act, which applied from the inception of the National Insurance scheme, retirement pension (latterly also known as State Pension), has always been classified in law as a 'benefit'.' DWP also explained how the New State Pension was introduced in 2016 to be a 'simpler, clearer, sustainable foundation for private saving, including workplace pensions supported through Automatic Enrolment'. DWP added: 'The introduction of Automatic Enrolment has both increased and equalised workplace pension participation rates between eligible men and women in the private sector. Together, the New State Pension and Automatic Enrolment provide a robust system for retirement provision for decades to come, with those on low incomes supported by Pension Credit which continues to provide a safety net.' The DWP also said there are no plans to bring the State Pension age back down to 60, explaining how it is a pay-as-you-go system funded by current taxpayers.
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New calls to give Winter Fuel Payments to millions of people on Basic State Pension
Nearly nine million people are in receipt of the Basic State Pension. A new online petition is calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reinstate the annual Winter Fuel Payment to every older person on the Basic State Pension. There are currently 13million people of State Pension age across the UK, inducing nearly 9million who became eligible for the contributory benefit before April 6, 2016. In the 'reinstate the Winter Fuel Allowance for those who are paid the old State Pension' petition, campaigner Barry Stevens argues that the annual increase to the New and Basic State Pension only 'widens' the divide between the payments. Mr Stevens said: 'Those in receipt of the old State Pension who do not qualify for state benefits are increasingly disadvantaged year on year. We believe the Government should restore the Winter Fuel Allowance to those pensioners involved to remedy the unfairness.' Someone on the full New State Pension now receives £230.25 per week while someone on the full Basic State Pension receives £176.45. The petition has been posted on the Petitions Parliament website. At 10,000 signatures, it will be entitled to a written response from the UK Government. At 100,000 signatures, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate by MPs in Parliament. The Scottish Government will introduce a universal Winter Fuel Payment for more than one million pensioners through the new, devolved Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) this year. This means that every person over State Pension age living in Scotland will receive a one-off heating payment of at least £100 next winter - even if they are not in receipt of a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit. The Scottish Government has also announced that the annual uprating of benefits for the 2025/26 financial year will be applied to PAWHP. This means older people on a qualifying income-related benefit aged between 66 and 79 will receive £203.40 (lower rate), while those aged 80 and over will be paid £305.10 (higher rate). Winter Fuel Payments for 2025/26 have not yet been announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), but are expected to remain at current levels of £200 and £300, the amount following the same age guidance as PAWHP. Full details about PAWHP can be found on here, just be aware the information on the Scottish Government website has not been updated yet for the 2025/26 financial year. The DWP estimates around 760,000 people across Great Britain are entitled to Pension Credit, yet not claiming it. The good news is there is plenty of time to put in a new claim to boost the amount of PAWHP or Winter Fuel Payment you receive later this year. The qualifying period for both payments will be the third week in September (15-21, 2025) and with DWP taking on average 50 working days to process new claims, an application submitted by mid-July which later turns out to be successful, will be entitled to the heating bill help. It's important to note that clams made up until the end of the qualifying week in September, which later turn out to be successful, will also be due the payment but it may arrive later than the planned delivery schedule. The date in July should ensure there's no waiting on a backdated payment. An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support, including the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment or the Winter Fuel Payment. Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on here. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert help and advice is also available from: Independent Age Income Max Citizens Advice Age UK Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it and how much you could get. Pension Credit in a nutshell Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also provide access to a range of other benefits. The benefit tops up income to a minimum of £227.10 per week for single pensioners and £346.60 for couples - more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities. Other help if you get Pension Credit If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as: Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in Council Tax discount Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment and Winter Fuel Payment A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit In May 2019, the law changed so a 'mixed age couple' - a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it - are considered to be a 'working age' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age. How to use the Pension Credit calculator To use the calculator on you will need details of: earnings, benefits and pensions savings and investments You'll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options. This includes: Your date of birth Your residential status Where in the UK you live Whether you are registered blind Which benefits you currently receive How much you receive each week for any benefits you get Whether someone is paid Carer's Allowance to look after you How much you get each week from pensions - State Pension, private and work pensions Any employment earnings Any savings, investments or bonds you have Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week. All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support. There's also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you're receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim. Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator? You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner: are deferring your State Pension own more than one property are self employed have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit How to make a claim You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months. This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time. You will need: your National Insurance number information about your income, savings and investments your bank account details, if you're applying by phone or by post If you're backdating your claim, you'll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start. Apply online You can use the online service if: you have already claimed your State Pension there are no children or young people included in your claim To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
New calls to give State Pension payments ‘immediately' to disabled people over 60
An online petition is calling on the UK Government to change State Pension eligibility rules. A new online petition is urging the UK Government to give older people on disability benefits early access to their State Pension. The State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women, but is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. Petition creator George Bolgar has put forward a proposal that every person over 60 with a disability 'who has been unemployed for at least five years should be given the choice to retire and claim the State Pension immediately'. The 'allow elderly disabled people to claim the State Pension early' petition has been posted on the Petitions Parliament website. At 10,000 signatures of support it would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government, at 100,000, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. The petition states: 'We think that any disabled person aged 60 who has been unemployed for at least five years should be given the choice to retire and claim the State Pension immediately. 'We think that keeping people on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) unemployment list when there is no chance of them ever becoming employed again is extra work for the DWP and extra stress for the disabled person. 'We think that once someone is above 60 years old and unemployed their likelihood of being employable is extremely reduced.' State Pension age rise The State Pension age is set to start rising from 66 to 67 next year, with the increase due to be completed for all men and women across the UK by 2028. The planned change to the official age of retirement has been in legislation since 2014 with a further rise from 67 to 68 set to be implemented between 2044 and 2046. The Pensions Act 2014 brought the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 forward by eight years. The UK Government also changed the way in which the increase in State Pension age is phased so rather than reaching State Pension age on a specific date, people born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 will be able to claim the State Pension once they reach 67. It's important to be aware of these upcoming changes now, especially if you have a retirement plan in place. Everyone affected by changes to their State Pension age will receive a letter from the DWP well in advance. Under the Pensions Act 2007 the State Pension age for men and women will increase from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. The Pensions Act 2014 provides for a regular review of the State Pension age, at least once every five years. The review will be based around the idea people should be able to spend a certain proportion of their adult life drawing a State Pension. A review of the planned rise to 68 is due before the end of this decade and had originally been scheduled by the then Conservative government to take place two years after the general election - which would have been 2026. Any review of the State Pension age will take into account life expectancy along with a range of other factors relevant to setting the State Pension age. After the review has reported, the UK Government may then choose to bring forward changes to the State Pension age. However, any proposals would have to go through Parliament before becoming law. Check your State Pension age online Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. It may be different to the age you can get a workplace or personal pension. Anyone of any age can use the online tool at to check their State Pension age, which can be an essential part of planning your retirement. You can use the State Pension age tool to check: When you will reach State Pension age Your Pension Credit qualifying age When you will be eligible for free bus travel - this is at age 60 in Scotland Check your State Pension age online here.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
New call to scrap PIP eligibility rule to help more people with fluctuating health conditions claim
A new online petition is calling for a change to eligibility rules for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). At present, people making a new claim for PIP must be able to demonstrate that the functional impact of their health condition has been present for at least three months and is likely to remain for at least nine months. However, petition creator Thomas Mitchell argues that this is 'unfair' and does not take into account people with fluctuating conditions such as epilepsy. He is urging the UK Government to 'scrap this rule' to enable more people with long-term health conditions to access additional financial support. The 'Scrap the '3-Month Before and 9-Month After' Rule for PIP Eligibility' petition, has been posted on the Petitions Parliament website and states: ' Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants must have faced difficulties for at least three months before applying and expect them to continue for at least nine months after claiming" It continues: "We think this rule is unfair and fails to account for fluctuating conditions like epilepsy, where someone may go months without symptoms but still face significant challenges. We think it could prevent many disabled and seriously ill people from accessing the support they need. 'We urge the UK Government to scrap this rule and ensure that PIP eligibility fairly reflects the real-life impact of disabilities and long-term conditions, including those that fluctuate.' At 10,000 signatures, the petition would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government, at 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can view it online here. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are now 3.7 million people across Great Britain receiving additional financial support through PIP (PIP). More than 20,000 Scots on PIP will see their award transferred to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) this Spring. Over the 2025/26 financial year, PIP and ADP will provide weekly support of between £29.20 and £187.45, some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. Both disability benefits are designed to help with the additional costs of living with a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition. Five most commonly recorded PIP health conditions These are the main disabling conditions recorded by the DWP at the end of January, 2025. Disabling conditions recorded by DWP These are the main disability categories, the umbrella term by which more than 530 other conditions fall under. This list is only an overview of conditions, disorders and diseases and how the DWP lists the main disabilities being claimed for. Haematological Disease Infectious disease Malignant disease Metabolic disease Psychiatric disorders Neurological disease Visual disease Hearing disorders Cardiovascular disease Gastrointestinal disease Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract Skin disease Musculoskeletal disease (general) Musculoskeletal disease (regional) Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) Genitourinary disease Endocrine disease Respiratory disease Multisystem and extremes of age Diseases of the immune system Unknown or missing Total number of PIP claimants (January 2025) - 3,694,536 Below is an overview of PIP and ADP. Even though new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by ADP, it shares most of the same eligibility criteria. Full guidance on ADP can be found on the website here. Who might be eligible for PIP or ADP? To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you: have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply. In addition to what we have outlined above, if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP. preparing, cooking or eating food managing your medication washing, bathing or using the toilet dressing and undressing engaging and communicating with other people reading and understanding written information making decisions about money planning a journey or following a route moving around There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these on the website here. DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at: whether you can do it safely how long it takes you how often your condition affects this activity whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment How are PIP and ADP paid? PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP. PIP and ADP payment rates 2025/26 You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support. Payments are made every four weeks. PIP is made up of two components: Daily living Mobility Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you. You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances: Daily living Standard rate: £73.90 Enhanced rate: £110.40 Mobility Standard rate: £29.20 Enhanced rate: £77.05 How you are assessed You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP. Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware that the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here. Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here. How do you make a claim for PIP? You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the website here. Before you call, you will need: How to apply for ADP People can apply for ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
Daily Record
23-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
New calls to scrap PIP assessments and base payment awards on medical conditions
A new online petition is calling for decisions on eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to be made based solely on a medical diagnosis, without the need for an assessment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). When someone makes a new claim for PIP, they complete the 'PIP 2 evidence form', which contains a series of questions with set answers (known as descriptors) for both the daily living and mobility elements of the disability benefit. Each answer is awarded points, you need eight points for the standard rate of either the daily living or mobility component and 12 for the enhanced rate. However, petition creator Rebecca Tyler-Squires believes a 'diagnosis should be enough and that this change could ensure fair access and dignity for all'. It's important to be aware PIP assessments can be made in person, over the phone or by video call. Some PIP claims can also be paper-based, without the need for an assessment by a Health Professional. The 'Review PIP eligibility criteria and award payments based on medical diagnoses' petition has been posted on the Petitions Parliament website and states: 'We believe many conditions should receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP) that currently do not. Disabled people can incur additional costs and we feel the assessment criteria does not take that into account. 'We think that a diagnosis should be enough and that this change could ensure fair access and dignity for all. In 2022, the National Audit Office found that in the previous 6 years at least 69 suicides could have been linked to problems with benefit claims. 'The system is often reported as being dehumanising and cruel. We think that more people and a broader spectrum of people should be awarded PIP. We stand against changes to reduce PIP claimants.' At 10,000 signatures of support the petition is entitled to a written response from the UK Government, at 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can view it in full here. The latest figures from the DWP show there are now 3.7 million people across Great Britain receiving additional financial support through PIP. Over the 2025/26 financial year, PIP and ADP will provide weekly support of between £29.20 and £187.45, some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. The DWP also recently confirmed the success rates for people making a new claim for PIP who attend an assessment in-person or remotely. Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, Sir Stephen Timms shared PIP success rates from 2015 to October 2024 which show currently, some 55 per cent of all new claims for the disability benefit are successful. Face-to-face assessments for the October 2024 period show a success rate of 44 per cent, while those conducted remotely had a 57 per cent success rate. The success rate for PIP reached a peak of 69 per cent in 2016, but has declined gradually each year, falling to 51 per cent in 2021 and 2022, but started to rise again in 2023 (53%). The figures for England and Wales only, were published in a written response after Conservative MP Neil O'Brien asked what the successful claim rate and average number of points scored for the daily living and mobility components were for the last 10 years. PIP success rates The data shows in October last year, the average number of points scored was: Assessment in-person Daily living - 5 Mobility - 4 Assessment not in-person (conducted remotely) Daily living - 8 Mobility - 5 PIP points and payment rates Daily living component Between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP 12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP Mobility component Between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP 12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP What is a PIP assessment? The PIP assessment is an opportunity for you to talk about how your condition affects you - it's not a diagnosis of your condition or a medical examination. The DWP will take into consideration evidence from the assessment to decide if you should be awarded PIP. A health professional will carry out your assessment, write a report and send it to the DWP decision maker. If you are waiting on a review, it's a good idea to have a copy of your PIP evidence form with you for telephone, video and face-to-face assessments. That way you can refer back to it, especially if it was completed a few years ago. Talking about how your condition affects you A helpful guide on the Citizens Advice website says you should be prepared to talk about how your condition affects you even if you've already detailed it on your PIP evidence form (the PIP2 document). This can be hard to do, but it will really help if you can talk about: Observations on what you say and do during the assessment The assessor will use the information you gave on your PIP claim form but also draw opinions from what you say and do on the day. For example, they might ask you how you got to the centre for a face-to-face assessment - if you say you came on the bus, without further clarification, they could make a note stating you can travel alone on public transport - unless you highlight otherwise. You might also be asked to carry out some physical tasks during the face-to-face assessment. Don't feel you have to do things you wouldn't normally be able to do. If you do them on assessment day, the assessor may think you can always do them, so if you're not comfortable with something - say so. During the telephone assessment you may be asked to describe how you complete simple tasks such as preparing and cooking food, getting washed and dressed and how you move around outside the home. Don't rush to respond, remember they are looking at your claim form and asking the same questions you have already answered. Pause, reflect and reply Break your answer down and take them through how you complete tasks step-by-step to paint an accurate picture of how your disability or health condition affects you. What may seem like a drawn out process for you, will demonstrate exactly how you accomplish tasks to the assessor - so don't try to speed up or simplify how you get things done. The assessor will also make a note of your mental state during the assessment - for example, they will record whether you look or sound depressed or happy, tense or relaxed and how you cope with social interaction. Things to remember during the assessment Don't let the assessor rush you and try not to just answer 'yes' or 'no' to their questions Always try to explain how doing something would make you feel afterwards and the impact it can have on you if you had to do it repeatedly in a short period of time You can have someone with you while you do the assessment over the phone, on the video call or in person, just remember to put the call on loudspeaker and advise the assessor who is with you. Taking someone with you to a face-to-face assessment for support The DWP has guidance on attending an assessment, which you can find on the website here. You can take someone with you into the actual assessment if they are 16 or over. This could be anyone who makes you feel more comfortable, like a friend, relative or carer. If you want, they can take part in discussions and make notes for you. Before going to a face-to-face assessment Check with your assessment provider that your assessment centre has everything you need - if it doesn't, you can ask for it. This can help make you feel more comfortable on the day. Here are a few examples: ask if you will have to go upstairs, and if there's a lift that can accommodate a wheelchair if you need one ask how roomy the centre is if you get anxious in enclosed spaces - if the rooms or corridors are small, tell them this could make you anxious and see what they can offer you ask for an interpreter or signer if you need one - do this at least two working days before your assessment so they have time to organise it ask for the person carrying out the assessment to be the same gender as you, if that's important to you ask if you can make an audio recording of the assessment - you must do this three days before your assessment and ask your provider about the rules for using recording equipment Changing the venue If the location of your face-to-face assessment is more than 90 minutes away by public transport and you have difficulty travelling long distances, you might be offered an alternative location or home visit. Again, refer to the newly published guidance as it includes travel restriction advice for Scotland, England and Wales.
