State Pension Age Equalisation
Debate between Richard Graham and Geraint Davies(8 years, 6 months ago)
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Geraint Davies (in the Chair)
Order. Mr Graham, could you bring your comments to a conclusion quite quickly? I have seven other people wanting to speak.
Richard Graham
I will, Mr Davies. I was just taking as many interventions as possible.
The hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr Campbell) is absolutely right. The deferral scheme depends on the individual’s circumstances. None the less, the actuaries would tell us that, on balance, most women will live longer than us men and that the four-year deferral may therefore be extremely advantageous for some people. It is just one example of the technicalities that are worth thinking about.
In conclusion, today’s debate is really important. The hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South was absolutely right to have secured it. Women in their late 50s and early 60s are affected. There is a serious issue of communication. A lot of this will be hard to untangle, but if the Minister can shed more light on what did or did not happen between 1995 and 2009, that would help. There is a generic issue about what happens when Government communicate, but that communication is not read or is recycled. How can Government respond to that position of professed ignorance? Clearly, it would be fantastic if transitional arrangements could be delivered, but the financial cost may be considerable.
Geraint Davies (in the Chair)
I am afraid that I am imposing a time limit of four minutes because of the number of people who have indicated they wish to speak.