Rachel Reeves issued state pension warning - 'national disgrace if you raise it over 68'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been issued a stark warning that "any decision to squeeze more" out of taxpayers by raising the state pension age "would be a national disgrace". Earlier this month Ms Reeves backed a review into raising the state pension age, arguing it is "right" to take another look at it.

The state pension age is currently 66, but it will rise to 67 by 2028. An increase to 68 is also pencilled in for 2046, but this date could now be brought forward. As a result, Transport union RMT is warning that raising the state pension age beyond 68 would be met with "strong resistance", including coordinated protests from across the trade union movement.

RMT say they will not "hesitate to protest nationally".

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: "The UK state pension is already one of the worst in the entire developed world, which is a direct result of decades of governments transferring both our national and personal wealth to the super rich.

"Any decision to squeeze more out of working people by forcing us to work even longer would be a national disgrace."

Dempsey added that raising the pension age would be a "slap in the face" to taxpaying Brits.

He said: "Raising the pension age even further isn't just cruel and unnecessary, it's a slap in the face to the very people who keep this country running.

"If this government makes any move to drastically increase the retirement age, we intend to lead our movement onto the streets and will not hesitate to protest nationally and take coordinated direct action.

"There is plenty of wealth in the economy. The Labour government needs to capture it and distribute it where it is most needed, including funding a decent state pension."

The Chancellor has said that a review into raising the state pension age is needed to ensure the system is "sustainable and affordable".

The Government review is due to report in March 2029 and Ms Reeves said it was "right" to look at the age at which people can receive the state pension as life expectancy increases.