Motion highlights concerns over state pension inequality

The council is to write directly to the UK government to express its concerns over women’s state pension inequality.

A notice of motion was unanimously passed by elected members.

It follows ‘wall of women’ protests at the South Lochside roundabout, which have been organised by Vidlin resident Janet Ainsworth.

South Mainland councillor George Smith raised a motion in the town hall at today’s full council meeting.

The motion, which is seconded by depute convener Beatrice Wishart, states: “Shetland Islands Council calls upon the UK government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born in the 1950s, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the state pension age (SPA) with lack of appropriate notification.

“This translates into ‘bridging pension’ to provide an income until state pension age – not means tested – and with recompense for losses for those who have already reached their SPA.”

The motion goes on to state there are no specific age groups within the period mentioned that are favoured above others.

COMMENTS(7)

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  • ian tinkler

    • May 15th, 2019 20:09

    Will they (the Council) write for me also? I would have loved to have retired at 60 and have sat on my fat bottom and drawn a pension at 60. We are in an age of equality are we not or are some genders on the pension cash more equal than others? Sock it to them SIC Councilors, I do hope no one gets paid for this day’s civic duty. Token Politics, what a load of c@a@!!! and waste of time. A unanimous vote, did the all go bar, bar, bar together?

    REPLY
  • Haydn Gear

    • May 17th, 2019 13:54

    Ian, did you mean “ did they all go baa , baa , baa together ?” Or did they all go to the bar , bar , bar together? Drink up . Let’s all sup and flock together.

    REPLY
    • Ian Tinkler

      • May 18th, 2019 10:48

      Haydn, the fun ones run to the bar, the rest just bleat!!! But they all love the futile posturing!

      REPLY
  • Helen Braynis

    • May 17th, 2019 17:48

    Ian – As women are banned from the Up Helly Aa procession, I think it is debatable if the age of equality has reached Shetland yet. Until it does, I would like my pension age put back to 60.

    REPLY
    • Ian Tinkler

      • May 18th, 2019 10:46

      So would I Helen but sadly? we all are living longer, especially the girls, and our youngsters need the money. It is a tad selfish to stop at 60 and most I know are still productive way beyond that age and hate giving up work.

      REPLY
      • Helen Braynis

        • May 19th, 2019 14:42

        The increase for women was due to equality legislation. It was discriminatory against men to expect them to retire later (ECHR). I personally supported the change as I believe in equality (pay, career opportunities) but it has to apply to everything.

  • Christopher Laurenson

    • May 19th, 2019 21:02

    Did wonder if the bright spark who was waving the big banner at Tesco roundabout on Saturday saying “Austerity Kills” realizes that road traffic accidents kill quite a few people each year. Well done for distracting motorists on the busiest roundabout in Lerwick.

    REPLY

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