New State Pension payment options for people due to reach DWP retirement age this year

More than 8,500 people have signed an online petition calling for a public inquiry to be held into changes made to the State Pension age for women. Petition creator Kay Clarke argues that increases to the State Pension age have left many women in “financial and mental despair” and believes that an inquiry “is necessary to expose the truth”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told MPs that he “understands the strong feelings” across Parliament over the lack of response to the recently published Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) final report into the impact of changes to the State Pension age for women born in the 1950s. During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, he acknowledged the “desire for urgency in addressing them” but added that an update “will be given to the House once those findings have been fully considered”.

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show the State Pension is providing essential financial support for nearly 12.7 million people across Great Britain, including more than one million living in Scotland. This regular payment is now worth up to £221.20 per week for those on the New State Pension (claimed after April 6, 2016), or £169.50 each week for the Basic State Pension (Category A or B).

Travis‘ Fran Healy has shared Noel Gallagher‘s reaction to “absolutely lifting” chords from Oasis‘ ‘Wonderwall’ for ‘Writing To Reach You’.‘Writing To Reach You’ appeared on Travis’ second LP, 1999’s ‘The Man Who’. The album helped the Glaswegian band become international stars.

Human remains have been found in the search for missing pensioner Hazel Nairn.

Hundreds of thousands of older women are due to receive a letter from HM Revenue and Customs letting them know their National Insurance (NI) record may contain missing periods of Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) which in turn has affected the level of Basic or New State Pension they are entitled to. The Treasury started issuing these letters in September last year and is working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to correct any administration errors as quickly as possible.

More than one million people over State Pension age can expect to receive a series of one-off payments worth up to £367 this year from the Scottish Government and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). None of these payments are due to arrive until November at the earliest, but it’s important to be aware of how much to expect and when.

More than 1.5 million older people claiming Attendance Allowance are set for a significant income boost this year now that the annual Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) uprating has been applied. On top of the 6.7 per cent increase, both the New and Basic State Pension have risen by 8.5 per cent.

A new free bike loan scheme has been launched in Greater Manchester for people with long-term health conditions and disabilities to get into cycling.

The latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures indicate that fraud and error in the benefit system is falling after the UK Government restated its determination to drive levels down further and protect taxpayers’ money. The most-recent national statistics show that in the 2022/23 financial year, fraud and error rates fell to 3.6 per cent (£8.3 billion) from 4.0 per cent (£8.7 billion) - figures for 2023/24 are due to be published next month.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has been in the spotlight since Prime Minister Rishi Sunak first shone a light on proposed welfare reforms for benefits delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) last month.

MSPs have backed the Scottish Government’s call for “compensation in full” to be paid to women impacted by changes to their State Pension age. In a Holyrood debate on Wednesday, the Scottish Parliament voted by 75 votes to zero, with 52 abstentions, which included Scottish Labour.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has said that he can “rule out” raising the State Pension age to fund the UK Government’s plan to abolish National Insurance (NI) contributions, but added that the policy will take “a number of Parliaments” to achieve. His comments came just hours after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak assured MPs that State Pension payments would not be cut to fund his ambition to scrap NI contributions.

Four female BBC News presenters have commenced legal action against the UK broadcaster, arguing they were forced off air for a year and harassed as a result of a “rigged” recruitment process.

Another big beauty brand has announced plans to open a store at The Trafford Centre.

A new online petition is urging the UK Government to continue providing financial support for people with mental health conditions claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced that the disability benefit will be given a major overhaul in an effort to reduce spiralling costs.

The UK Government has rejected calls in an online petition to scrap the income tax threshold for people in receipt of the State Pension or benefits. More than 20,300 people have signed the e-petition created by Kenneth Bardsley, who argues that the taxation is “punishing pensioners and those on some benefits” and “pushing people even deeper into poverty”.

Scottish actor Gary Hollywood and his wife Cherlyanne have some seriously happy news to share – they're expanding their clan with another beautiful baby! Just over four years on from the arrival of their adorable son Ollie, Cherylanne, 35, and 44 year old Gary – who famously starred as Dino Doyle in Mrs. Brown's Boys – are thrilled to exclusively announce to OK! that they have another bundle of joy on the way. “Ollie is so excited to be a big brother,” said Cherylanne, who is currently 16 weeks pregnant.

Millions of workers due to receive their monthly payslip over the next few days are being urged to check two key details have been changed to ensure they are being paid the correct amount by their employer. The start of the 2024/25 financial year on April 6 means that tax codes may change for some people, especially those on the Blind Person’s Allowance (BPA).

Retirement expert Adam Pope from Spencer Churchill Claims Advice has warned that nearly two million people over State Pension age will feel the financial impact of the freeze on the Personal Allowance within the next four years. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there are nearly 12.7 million people over State Pension age across Great Britain, including more than 1.1m living in Scotland.