Labour

New analysis by the House of Commons Library has revealed that 7.6 million people will lose out by nearly £10,000 each under the Government’s plans to bring forward changes to the state pension age. 

The change will affect all men and women currently between the age of 39 and 47, who will be forced to work a year longer before they can access their state pension entitlement.

The Government’s announcement of their plans to bring forward the state pension age last Thursday came more than two months after their legal deadline, 7 May 2017, evading debate on the issue leading up to the General Election.

The announcement was heavily criticised, as it followed evidence from the renowned expert on life expectancy, Professor Sir Michael Marmot, who just days before had described how a century-long rise in life expectancy was “pretty close to having ground to a halt.” Professor Marmot pointed to 2010 as the turning point, when the Government began its austerity programme.

Just over a week ago, the Government’s own advisory body, Public Health England, had published data showing significant disparities in Healthy Life Expectancy. For example, it showed how on average a man living in Nottingham would be only be expected to live in good health until the age of 57, a full eleven years earlier than the Government’s newly timetabled state pension age increase to 68.

A Director of Public Health England described how the average pensioner will now have to deal with a “toxic cocktail” of ill health throughout their whole retirement, and for some years before.

Debbie Abrahams MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said:

“This is a disgraceful and unjustified attack on the state pension by this Government, who are asking millions of people to work longer to pay for their failing austerity plans.

“The latest research on life expectancy, published days ago, shows that there is no evidential basis for bringing the state pension age further forward.

“That’s why Labour want to take a measured approach, leaving the state pension age at 66 while we review the evidence emerging around life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, considering how we can best protect those doing demanding jobs and the contributions they have already made.”

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, commenting on Chris Grayling’s comments that the full electrification of the Leeds to Manchester train line won’t go ahead, said: 

“This is a slap in the face for commuters and businesses in the North.

“Just six weeks ago the Tories promised the electrification of the Trans-Pennine route as an integral part of the government’s ‘Northern Powerhouse’. 

“For years the Tories have promised electrification for the North, delivering faster, greener and more reliable services along with the significant economic benefits brought about by improved connectivity. 

“The Tories have gone from Northern Powerhouse to Northern Powercut! Another broken promise from a Government that’s hit the buffers.

“Chris Grayling had to be forced to come to parliament to give his HS2 statement and has sneaked this out in an interview after the Commons has risen.

“Voters won’t be fooled by Grayling’s claim that the same benefits will be realised without electrification. 

“With our commitment to deliver a Crossrail for the North, it’s clear only Labour has the ambition to transform the economies of the North of England for the many not the few.”

Ends

Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, following the appointment of Lady Hale as President of the UK Supreme Court,said:

“I congratulate Lady Hale on her appointment. It is a welcome step forward to have the first female president of the Supreme Court.

“Such positive change is far too slow across the judiciary. Labour will review the judicial appointments process to ensure a judiciary that’s more representative of society.”

Sue Hayman MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, responding to the speech given by Michael Gove MP today, said:

“It is imperative that the warm words in Michael Gove’s speech today are followed by robust action, and we will hold the Government’s feet to the fire to ensure that they deliver on their promises when it comes to the environment, agriculture and fisheries. Gove has been notoriously dismissive of expert advice in the past, so Labour will closely watch that he follows the science when it comes to our precious environment.

“The agricultural sector needs long-term certainty post-Brexit. Gove says he wants to continue supporting farmers after we leave the Common Agricultural Policy, but we must get the detail on this as soon as possible, so that farmers can plan for the future.

“Britain must lead by example when it comes to tackling climate change. We welcome the Environment Secretary denouncing President Trump’s reckless and irresponsible approach to climate change and the Paris Agreement. Labour wants to see EU environmental protections transposed into British law and strengthened where necessary. We will not allow the Government to use Brexit as an excuse to attempt to water down this important legislation.

“We must champion sustainable farming and fishing by investing in and promoting skills, technology, market access and innovation. Labour in government will reconfigure farming and fisheries subsidies on the basis of environmental management, innovation, and productivity – not just the amount of land you own – and reconfigure funds for farming to support smaller traders, local economies, community benefits and sustainable practices.”

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, commenting on the warning from the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) over airspace, said:

“The Government’s approach to aviation has been to rely on autopilot while they have a chat among themselves. Labour has been pressing for action for years on aviation safety, drones and airspace modernisation: the Government say they are in listening mode but it seems they’re not listening to anyone in the industry.

“Today’s warning from NATS is yet another example of the Government’s failure to act and comes as uncertainty over Brexit is threatening the UK aviation industry. The Government must listen to what NATS and the industry more broadly are warning and take action to protect and modernise UK airspace.

“The Government must also urgently provide clarity on our post-Brexit relationship with the European agencies that maintain aviation safety standards and through which our air service agreements are secured. If the Government continue to fail to address the challenges facing the aviation industry, the UK’s connectivity, competitiveness and ability to trade with be severely undermined.”