---

Pensions Bill [Lords] (Programme) (No. 2)

My hon. Friend is right. She represents a constituency where many women will be affected, particularly low-paid women. The proposed change has a socio-economic dimension which I am sure the Minister is aware of. The amendment would make a real difference to the lives of the women affected. It is designed to secure a limited reform, targeted at a specific group whom the Government are not treating fairly, and it would give rise to costs representing just over 1%—one 100th—of the annual pensions budget. The Chancellor has previously said that"““we are not going to balance the budget on the backs of the poorest and the most disadvantaged,””" but the costs of this Tory-led Government's acceleration of the state pension age equalisation timetable targets a group with limited resources.