WOMEN AND CARERS' PENSIONS

Early day motion 544, tabled 7 July 2005 by Malcolm Rifkind (Conservative). Signed by 66 members.

That this House is very concerned about the number of female and carer pensioners living in poverty; is dismayed at the lack of Government proposals to help such pensioners in the Pensions Act 2004; recognises that the contributory principle does not have to be jettisoned to deliver improved pension provision; believes that the way state pension rights are earned can be modernised so that it is easier for women and carers to build them up; calls for the reform of the rule which stops those who have paid national insurance contributions for less than 10 years getting anything from the basic state pension; believes that a more flexible weekly credit should replace the current provisions for those who take time out of the labour market; notes that increasing the basic state pension would provide real improvements to the income of those pensioners entitled to pension credit who do not claim; and calls on Ministers to consider the plight of poorer female pensioners when considering further reforms to either state or private pensions.

Signatures by party: Conservative 55, Liberal Democrat 4, DUP 2, Labour 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.