MP blasts age plan for female pension

EDINBURGH West Liberal Democrat MP Mike Crockart has hit out at the UK Government's plan to speed up the increase in the state pension age for women.

He has written to Pensions Minister Steve Webb and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg calling for a rethink on the policy which means some women will have to work two extra years.

Mr Crockart said: "While it is right that we review pension ages, particularly as people are living for longer, it is quite clear that many women will be badly affected by the government's current proposals.

"It is simply wrong that women who are fast approaching their expected retirement age will now be given less than eight years' notice to plan how to cope with a delayed state pension."