DWP £427.35 Each Week: Millions of pensioners in the UK are struggling to make ends meet. Campaigner Ken Marshall has recently proposed that the New State Pension should be increased from £11,502 a year to £22,000 a year, aligning it with what a person working 35 hours a week on the National Living Wage (NLW) would earn.
His proposal has sparked a major debate on fairness and dignity for the elderly. In this article, let’s break down what this proposal means, how it compares to current pension rates, and what the Government says about it.
What Is Ken Marshall Proposing?
Ken Marshall suggests that all pensioners should receive at least £427.35 per week, which equals £22,000 a year, similar to someone earning the National Living Wage (NLW) for a 35-hour working week. His argument is simple — pensioners have contributed to society for decades, and it is unfair that many are now forced to live on much less than a working person earns.
He calls the gap between the current State Pension and NLW “distressing”, saying that senior citizens deserve respect and a decent quality of life in their retirement.
The Current State Pension Rates for 2025/26
From April 7, 2025, the New State Pension is set to rise by 4.1%, but still falls far short of Ken Marshall’s proposed amount. Here’s how the numbers stack up:
- Weekly Payment: £230.25 (up from £221.20)
- Four-weekly Payment: £921 (up from £884.80)
- Annual Payment: £11,973 (up from £11,502)
For those on the Basic State Pension:
- Weekly Payment: £176.45 (up from £169.50)
- Annual Payment: £9,175 (up from £8,814)
Even after the increase, State Pension recipients will receive nearly half of what a person on the National Living Wage would earn annually.
National Living Wage (NLW) for 2025/26: The Comparison
From April 2025, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over will be:
- £12.21 per hour
- £427.35 for a 35-hour working week
- £1,851.85 per month
- £22,222.20 per year
When you compare this to the State Pension, pensioners are left with about £10,000 less annually than working individuals earning minimum wage. Ken Marshall and his supporters argue that this is a serious inequality that must be addressed to prevent elderly poverty.
What the Government Says About the Proposal
Although the petition calling for the State Pension to match the National Living Wage is gaining attention, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has already rejected similar proposals. Here’s why:
- Different Purposes: The Government says State Pension and National Living Wage serve different purposes. While NLW supports low-paid workers, the State Pension is a benefit, not a wage.
- Legal Status: Since the 1946 National Insurance Act, the State Pension has been classified as a benefit, meaning it’s funded by current taxpayers in a pay-as-you-go system.
- Automatic Enrolment: DWP points out that many people also have private pensions through Automatic Enrolment, which together with the State Pension forms the retirement income.
- Fiscal Concerns: The State Pension is a huge part of government spending, costing £138 billion in 2024/25, around 5.2% of GDP.
Future Increases in State Pension: What to Expect?
Though the Labour Government has promised to uphold the Triple Lock — ensuring pensions rise by inflation, wages, or 2.5% (whichever is higher) — projected increases remain modest:
- 2026/27: 2.5%
- 2027/28: 2.5%
- 2028/29: 2.5%
- 2029/30: 2.5%
These increases will not bridge the gap between the State Pension and National Living Wage, leaving pensioners with less than what working individuals receive.
What Happens If the Petition Gains Support?
The petition, titled “Pay pensioners the equivalent of the living wage of a 35-hour week”, is gathering signatures on the UK Parliament website. If it reaches:
- 10,000 signatures: The Government must issue a formal response.
- 100,000 signatures: It will be considered for debate in Parliament.
If enough people back this cause, it could force a discussion about pensioner poverty and fairness in Parliament.
The debate about increasing the State Pension to match the National Living Wage is about more than just numbers — it’s about how a society treats its elders. Ken Marshall’s proposal highlights an important issue: should pensioners who built the country be left struggling?
While the Government says the pension system is designed differently from wages, many argue that basic dignity in old age should not be up for debate. Whether or not this proposal becomes law, it has already started an essential conversation about fairness, respect, and support for the elderly.
FAQ
What is Ken Marshall’s pension proposal?
Ken Marshall is proposing that the UK State Pension should be increased to £22,000 per year, which equals £427.35 per week. This would match the earnings of a person working 35 hours a week on the National Living Wage.
How much will the UK State Pension be in 2025/26?
From April 2025, the New State Pension will be £230.25 per week, totaling about £11,973 per year. The Basic State Pension will rise to £176.45 per week, or about £9,175 per year.
Why is the Government against increasing the State Pension to match the National Living Wage?
The Government argues that the State Pension and National Living Wage serve different purposes. The pension is a benefit, not a wage, funded by taxpayers. Raising it to match the National Living Wage would be too costly and require higher taxes.
What is the Triple Lock and how does it affect pensions?
The Triple Lock ensures that the State Pension increases every year by the highest of inflation, average wage growth, or 2.5%. This system is designed to protect pensioners’ income from falling behind the cost of living.
How can I support Ken Marshall’s pension campaign?
You can support the campaign by signing the petition titled ‘Pay pensioners the equivalent of the living wage of a 35-hour week’ on the UK Parliament website. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
I have never had one day. Out of work since I left school “ have paid tax on every penny I’ve earned have the max of 40 years superannuation works pension plus oap and it’s all taxed for a second time . £270 off each month. At least dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask when he robbed people
I have paid tax since I left school at 15 now they take tax out my pension the national living wage is 1800 a month I get 884 a month you treat the elderly like there beggers this is not right you treat the boat people with more dignity have some respect for your elderly and put our money up so we can live a decent for the rest of our lives and not think do I eat or do I put the heating on BANG OF ORDER THE WAY YOU TREAT US ELDERLY
I worked from age 15 to38 having a child ,I never had a day off .paid my tax,s now pension gone up about 9 pound a week ,,but ren has gone up too ,so give in one hand tak away with th other. Shocking we are th lowest paid pensioner s in. The eu ,,,