Minimum State Pension should equal the National Minimum Wage for under 18s.

The National Living Wage age for 21+ is now £23,132 (35 hour week; 52 week year). Even the National Minimum Wage for under 18's is £14,560 (same basis). My full New State Pension is only £12,564 after working for a lifetime.

I believe for 65+ a minimum UK standard of living is £14,500 and the State Pension should match this.

The full New State Pension lags well behind those in Europe (UK only 13th of 28). Even an apprentice, or under 18 worker, is now legislated to earn a salary of at least £14,560. For 18 to 20 year old workers this National Minimum Wage equates to £19,747 per annum. For those who have worked and paid NI and taxes all their lives, we believe a full State Pension of £12,564 is just not fair and equitable and the State Pension should be at least the £14,500 necessary for a minimum standard of living for retirees.

The Government is committed to supporting current and future generations of pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement.

In 2026/27 the Government will spend over £186 billion directly on the State Pension and benefits for pensioners in Great Britain. The full rate of the new State Pension has risen to £241.30 per week, which is over £12,500 per year, following an increase in line with average earnings.

The basic State Pension has also increased to £184.90 per week, which is over £9,600 per year. These increases reflect our commitment to the Triple Lock throughout this parliament - uprating the State Pension by the highest of inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index, average wage increase or 2.5% each year - and to protecting pensioners from the rising cost of living. Maintaining the Triple Lock throughout this Parliament will mean the annual spending on people’s State Pensions is forecast to rise by over £30 billion, this will see pensioners’ yearly incomes being up to £2,100 higher.

The State Pension and the National Minimum Wage have different purposes, and a direct comparison cannot be drawn. The National Minimum Wage is designed to protect young and low-income workers and provide an incentive to work.

It is also difficult to make meaningful comparisons between State Pension schemes in different countries because there are important differences in the way they are run. There are many factors to take into account such as different tax systems, the cost of living, access to occupational pensions and availability of other social security benefits, as well as the provision of services and goods free to pensioners or at concessionary rates.