The Pensions Secretary has shredded hopes for millions of women hit by state pension age rises – despite Boris Johnson suggesting they would get help.
Amber Rudd said she was “sceptical” those hit can get any extra cash and there is currently “no prospect” of that changing.
Millions of women born in the 1950s are having their state pension age hiked to make it 66 by 2020, the same as for men.
Furious campaigners say the change came with too little notice, and two women are claiming unlawful discrimination through the High Court.
Last week, Mr Johnson said he would “commit to doing everything I possibly can to sorting out” the issue which “I’m conscious has been going on for too long”.
The Prime Minister favourite added he was “not convinced” by government forecasts, one of which claimed reversing all changes would cost £181bn over 16 years.
But asked about his comments, Tory Cabinet minister Ms Rudd told the Mirror: “I’m slightly sceptical at holding out hope for any additional support for WASPI women… people who feel they have lost out by the rising pension age and claim, believe, they haven’t been told in time about it.
(Image: Dan Kitwood)
“At the moment the Treasury has been very resistant to supplying any additional funds.
“We will see whether a new Prime Minister takes a different view. But at the moment there is no prospect of that changing.”
Ms Rudd was questioned by the Mirror at an event hosted by the Politico website on Tuesday night.
She also said: “As I’m sure you’re aware, there was a move to make a contribution a few years ago – so there was some top up to the existing position.
“I didn’t hear Boris, I’m afraid, make that statement. I haven’t been totally faithful to watching all the hustings, but I will subsequently take a look.”
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A hike to women’s state pension age from 60 to 65, over 10 years starting in 2010, was first proposed in the 1995 Pensions Act.
But that was accelerated by the 2011 Pensions Act, which laid out plans to hike the age to 65 in November 2018 – followed by 66 in October 2020.
Facing an outcry, ministers agreed a £1.1bn concession in the final stages of the Act, supposedly to limit any one person’s pension age rise to 18 months.
But 2.6million women were still hit, according to the House of Commons Library.
The furore has sparked a number of separate campaigns.
Back to 60, which is currently fighting a battle in the High Court, says women had a “legitimate expectation” to receive their pension aged 60 and demands “the return of those earned dues”.
(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) is calling for “fair transitional arrangements” to help women financially, though not a full return to age 60.
Both groups have heaped doubt on the DWP’s claim that it would cost £181billion to set the women’s state pension age back at 60.
Mr Johnson made his original pledge at a Tory leadership hustings last Friday in Cheltenham.
(Image: PA)
While he stopped short of a firm promise, he said: “I have made several representations already on behalf of my own constituents who fall into this category.
“And I must say the answer I’ve got back from the Treasury is not yet satisfactory.
“But I will undertake – if I’m lucky enough to succeed in this campaign – to return to this issue with fresh vigour and new eyes and see what I can do to sort it out.
“Because I’m conscious it’s been going on for too long.”
