DWP statement after being told to 'lower state pension age' to free up jobs

The Department for Work and Pensions has responded to calls to lower the state pension age to free up jobs for young workers

The Department for Work and Pensions has responded to mounting pressure to reduce the state pension age as a means of creating more employment opportunities for younger workers. The DWP has found itself under increasing scrutiny following the launch of an online petition calling for reform.

The petition, hosted on the Parliamentary website, calls on the Government to: "Lower the State Pension age for workers so young adults that don't currently work have more chance of getting a job.

"The longer people are having to work the fewer jobs there are out there for young adults. If the Government lowered the State Pension age we believe it could encourage retirement so that employers might take on a young adult to fill the space – that would help young people get jobs and also help the older generation that have done their bit for society and get to enjoy the last few years of their life."

The petition, created by Helen Grice, has amassed 18,000 signatures - comfortably exceeding the 10,000 threshold required to trigger an official Labour government response, reports Birmingham Live.

In its official reply, the DWP made its position unequivocally clear, stating: "There are no plans to reduce State Pension age. We are fortunate today that more people are reaching old age: life expectancy has risen rapidly over the past century, driven by breakthroughs in medical treatments and generally healthier lifestyles.

"In 2026, for example, men aged 66 in the UK can be expected to live on average a further 19.3 years, and women aged 66 a further 21.9 years.

"State Pension age policy takes account of the fact that people are living longer and our society is ageing, with some rises being necessary to maintain fairness between generations, protect the public finances, and strengthen the State Pension by ensuring it will be there for decades to come."

The statement continued: "The Third State Pension age Review is currently underway and will decide what State Pension age is appropriate for future decades, balancing considerations of fairness and sustainability. It will consider a wide range of evidence, including an independent report from Dr. Suzy Morrissey.

"With around one million young people not in education, employment and training, this Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind."