London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025

After the election, the UK will have to increase the retirement age, according to a minister

After the election, the UK will have to increase the retirement age, according to a minister

Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, has urged that ministers must "grasp the nettle" in order to move forward the increase in the state pension age to 68 in the first couple of years of the next parliament.
After deferring the decision due to rising life expectancy, Stride said that it would still have to be made, but that it would most likely be one for his successor in the role and that individuals would still be given ten years' notice.

He also said that there are "no plans currently" to modify the triple lock on pension increases in the next Conservative manifesto, but he did not promise that it will be preserved.

Stride made the statements while speaking to journalists at a lunch in Westminster, when asked whether the government would reconsider raising the pension age in the future in light of the riots and demonstrations in France.

"I don't think it's in our national psyche to start rioting and burning things over the state pension," said the labour and pensions secretary, a close supporter of Rishi Sunak.

Finally, I decided to defer because of Covid and economic uncertainty, as well as the fact that the most essential thing is that you give them 10 years' notice of any change."

The range of dates for raising the state pension age from 67 to 68 goes far into the 2030s: you're looking at the 2030s, 40s, or somewhere in between.

There's no reason why we can't wait until the first couple of years of the next parliament to make the choice and still give people ten years' notice."

However, he said that the choice must still be made.

"There is a real tension because, looking at the OBR's fiscal sustainability reports for the next 50 years...

the demographic changes and pension costs are really weighing in the wrong direction." So there will come a moment when the nettle must be grabbed, but not until someone other than me is in the [position]," Stride said, implying that he does not see himself being work and pensions secretary after the next election.

In response to a question regarding the triple lock on pensions, which ensures that payouts would grow by the greater of inflation, wages, or 2.5%, Stride said that there were "no plans currently" to remove it from the next Conservative election programme.

"I think the triple lock is a decision for the PM and others, and there are no plans to change the triple lock," he said.

This year, retirees will enjoy a 10% increase at a time when pay growth is only approximately 5.5% due to rising inflation.

According to current proposals, the state pension age of 66 will be raised to 67 in 2026-2028, and subsequently to 68 in 2044-2046, impacting anyone born after April 1977.

According to a 2017 government analysis, the latter range should be pushed back to the late 2030s, forcing millions of individuals born in the early 1970s who anticipated to retire at 67 to wait another year.

According to reports in January, authorities wanted to push forward this hike to 2035, impacting persons aged 54 and under today, in response to Treasury lobbying aimed at saving billions of pounds in state pension payments.

However, with a general election due in the fall of next year, ministers worried a reaction from middle-aged voters.

Riots in France over plans to raise the country's pension age from 62 to 64 have also alarmed UK authorities..
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
×