DWP £427 a week for State Pensionioners: Government to raise the New State Pension from £11,502 annually to £22,000

A new petition is gathering support in the UK, demanding a significant rise in the State Pension. Over 9,000 people have already signed it, asking the Labour Government to increase the New State Pension from its current level of £11,502 per year to £22,000 — equal to the National Living Wage for someone working 35 hours per week.

Supporters of the petition believe that pensioners, who have contributed their whole lives to the country, deserve to live with dignity and financial security during their retirement.

What the Petition Demands

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The petition highlights a growing concern about the income gap between retirees and working individuals. It says that while full-time workers on the National Living Wage earn over £22,000 a year, pensioners are surviving on nearly half that amount.

The petition states:

“We must not allow our senior citizens, who have contributed so much to our society, to struggle through their sunset years. We consider that it is a matter of fairness and respect.”

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The main goal of the petition is to make sure that all pensioners receive an income that reflects at least the current living wage. This would mean a weekly State Pension of £427, allowing pensioners to avoid financial hardship and maintain a decent quality of life.

Why This Matters

The petition comes at a time when the UK is still dealing with the impact of inflation, rising living costs, and stagnant incomes. For pensioners who don’t have private pensions or large savings, the current £221.20 per week State Pension (2024/25 rate) is often not enough to cover essential living costs like food, heating, and rent.

Supporters say increasing the pension will:

• Improve the quality of life for older people
• Reduce the need for government support services
• Show respect to the elderly who have contributed to society throughout their working lives

Government’s Response So Far

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The petition has been addressed to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Labour-led Government. So far, there is no official statement from the DWP in response to this new request.

This movement follows recent changes to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW), based on recommendations by the Low Pay Commission (LPC). From April 2024, workers aged 21 and over will earn £11.44 per hour, which equals over £22,000 per year for someone working full-time.

Baroness Philippa Stroud, Chair of the LPC, said:

“The Government have been clear about their ambitions for the National Minimum Wage and its importance in supporting workers’ living standards.”

She also admitted that some businesses are finding it difficult to keep up with rising wage costs, but said the changes are essential for fair pay.

With the cost of living still high, many feel that the current State Pension is not enough to support a decent lifestyle. This petition reflects growing pressure on the government to act fairly and protect the financial future of older people in the UK. Whether the Labour Government responds to this call remains to be seen, but public support for a pension that matches the National Living Wage is clearly gaining momentum.

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