Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to mitigate the effect of state pension age changes on women born in the 1950s; and if she will make a statement.

Since 1995, successive Governments have taken the same approach to this issue. The reforms have focused on maintaining the right balance between the sustainability of the State Pension, fairness between generations and affordability for the taxpayer who funds on-going State Pension.

The welfare system continues to provide a strong safety net for those who cannot work.