Pensions Bill

Written evidence from Brighton Women’s Centre (PB 05)

1. Brighton Women’s Centre (BWC) is a woman only organisation supporting vulnerable and socially excluded women in Brighton and Hove for over 35 years.

2. This submission is in response to the Government’s State Pension Bill 2013, Part 1, section 1 setting out its plans to introduce a new single-tier State Pension which excludes the 1951-5.4.1953 women who are subject to equalisation. As a woman centred organisation BWC is concerned about the impact on women.

3. Specifically BWC is concerned about the following inequity: When the new flat rate pension of £144.00 p/w set at above the means test level comes in, women born between 1951 to 1953 will get the old rate £110 p/w whilst all men of the same D.O.B as these1951 to 5.4.1953 women (and some younger men) will get the better flat rate which could be near an extra £36 p/w.

4. £110 is a small amount to live on per week to cover all accommodation utilities, food bills, clothes.

5. The women who are adversely affected by the above have D.O.B’s of 1951 to 5.4.53. Men with these D.O.B’s will receive £144p/w. These women with D.O.B’s between 1951 to 5.4.1953 have/are already having their state pension age increased to be equalized with men: due to the Pension Act 1995 which became effective in 2010

6. Ros Altman has highlighted this matter '' Re: State Pension re. women already affected by the 1995/Equalization Pension Act: Quote:"Might the Government consider a tiered introduction of the new system, rather than a stark cut-off. That might assuage some of the feelings of unfairness that are likely to arise, particularly for women whose pension age has already increased after 2010 under arrangements put in place by the 1995 Pension Act."

June 2013