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Pensions Bill

I support these amendments and wish to draw attention to the briefing that I have received from the Equal Opportunities Commission. It points out that greater support for the over-45s is needed because many are still at risk of not getting even a full BSP in their own right. It points out that women’s entitlement to BSP would be increased dramatically by the Bill’s proposal to reduce the number of qualifying years from 39 to 30. Nevertheless, there will still remain women in the older age groups who will miss out on getting a full BSP. The EOC advocates, therefore, greater flexibility, as envisaged in this amendment, to enable women to buy into a full BSP by allowing them to make extra contributions if they are able to do so once they have reached what, perhaps, would be normal retirement age. By paying the extra money, they will eventually qualify for a larger pension. This is worthy of support and I hope that the Government will feel likewise.