Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Petition Seeks to Scrap Basic State Pension and Move All Retirees to New Rate

The proposal, posted on Parliament’s petitions site by Michael Thompson, urges lifting the New State Pension toward average earnings.

Overview

  • The petition is live with 358 signatures and runs until 13 December 2025, needing 10,000 for a government response and 100,000 for consideration for debate.
  • The Basic State Pension covers those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016 under the old two‑tier system, unlike the single‑tier New State Pension introduced thereafter.
  • Current weekly rates are £176.45 for the Basic State Pension and £230.25 for the New State Pension, and the petition asks that those on the Basic rate be paid the accrued difference since 2016.
  • Citing ONS data showing average weekly earnings of £722 in March 2025, the petition argues the New State Pension should rise toward a share of average earnings and be paid to all pensioners.
  • Separately from the petition, Triple Lock rules point to a 4.8% uprating from April 2026 to £241.30 for the full New State Pension and £184.90 for the full Basic State Pension, with formal confirmation due in the Autumn Budget on 26 November.