State Pension Age: Women

John Bercow Excerpts

Wednesday 30th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. In a moment I shall call the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to move the amendment in the name of the Prime Minister, but first I must advise the House that no fewer than 13 Back Benchers wish to contribute to the debate, and they should be heard. The Secretary of State, equally, will want to respond, and probably comprehensively, to what he has heard, which is perfectly proper. I therefore ask Members to have some regard for the interests of each other.

--- Later in debate ---

[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. On account of the number of would-be contributors to the debate, I am afraid that it is necessary to impose with immediate effect a five-minute limit on each Back-Bench speech.

--- Later in debate ---

[Tracy Brabin]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Members should not use the intervention opportunity as the chance of a compressed—but not very compressed—speech.

[Tracy Brabin]

I thank the hon. Lady and agree that there are many constituents out there who feel the same. We have felt the anger in the Chamber today and we are right to be angry. Our constituents’ lives have been thrown into turmoil. The former Prime Minister admitted that something had to be done, but we are still waiting. The Chancellor’s big finish to his autumn statement—to some laughter on the Government Benches—was to abolish the autumn statement. A far more elegant and just end to the statement would have been a commitment to justice on women’s state pensions.