Labour launches fresh attack on Tory plans to increase state pension age

Shadow Pensions Secretary Debbie Abrahams is beginning a tour of the country to meet with those affected by the changes and to spell out the Labour alternative.

The move coincides with a wider tour by party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has spent the last few weeks visiting target seats in an effort to maintain post-election momentum. Yesterday saw the Islington MP address rallies in Reading and Milton Keynes where he vowed that the next Labour government would bring an end to the housing crisis.

Ministers announced a shake-up of the state pension system back in July, when they revealed they would increase the starting age to 68 over two years from 2037. Labour estimates that the changes will mean 36.9m people having to work longer, including 58,213 people in Theresa May’s constituency of Maidenhead, and 63,254 in Phillip Hammond’s constituency of Runnymede and Weybridge.

The party is opposed to the increase, and is reviewing a flexible retirement age as part of a new Commission on Pensions.

“Conservative MPs must explain to the tens of thousands of people in their constituencies, why the burden of Tory austerity is being pushed onto them, while corporations and the richest individuals receive tax breaks,” said Ms Abrahams.

“Labour will keep the State Pension age at 66 and this tour will help us review, as part of our commitment to people powered politics, the pension system, with a view to guaranteeing a secure and healthy retirement for the many, not just the few.”

Speaking to supporters in Millton Keynes yesterday, Mr Corbyn pledged that the next Labour government would create a new Department for Housing and “tackle the housing crisis”.