State Pension payments could be increased to £549 a week under new plan

A petition, which has gathered more than 14,900 signatures, is urging the UK Government to boost the weekly State Pension to £549 for everyone over 60, including British expats. As the petition, started by Denver Johnson, has surpassed 10,000 signatures, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is now required to provide a written response.

The proposed increase would bring the State Pension in line with 48 hours of work per week at the National Living Wage rate of £11.44 per hour, resulting in a yearly payment of £28,554.24 for 12.9 million people currently receiving the State Pension, as well as those over 60. This increase would also apply to approximately 453,000 retirees whose State Pension has been frozen due to their country of residence not having a reciprocal agreement with the UK Government.

The petition, posted on the petitions-parliament website, states: "We want the Government to make the State Pension available from the age of 60 and increase this to equal 48 hours a week at the National Living Wage."

"Hence from April 2024, a universal State Pension should be £549.12 per week or about £28,554.24 per year as a right to all including expatriates, age 60 and above."

"We think that Government policy seems intent on the State Pension being a benefit, while increasing the age of entitlement. We want reforms so the State Pension is available from age 60, and linked to the National Living Wage", reports the Daily Record.

The New and Basic State Pensions are set to rise in April by 4.1 per cent, under the earnings growth measure of the Triple Lock, however, additional elements along with working age and disability benefits, will increase by 1.7 per cent under the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation