An online petition calling on the UK Government to set a minimum level of weekly State Pension payments of £380 for everyone over the age of 60, arguing that the current rates are “far too low”, has passed the 10,000 signature threshold which triggers an official response. So far, more than 75,548 people have shown their support for the suggested changes - at 100,000 signatures, the petition would be considered for debate in Parliament.
The petition, created by Michael Thompson, is also asking for the official age of retirement to be lowered from 66 back to 60 for both men and women. He said that increasing the weekly payment rate for everyone over 60 would result in an annual income of £19,60, which “should lift thousands out of poverty, and give our elderly folk more spending power”.
The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that there are now 12.5 million people receiving State Pension payments across the country. These are worth up to £185.15 for those on the new State Pension and up to £141.85 for people receiving the old Basic State Pension.
