Woman committed suicide after General Election result raised pension fears, MP claims

Mhairi Black: SNP frontbencher claims a woman killed herself over the General Election result
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A woman committed suicide after the General Election result heightened her pension worries, an MP has claimed.

Mhairi Black, the SNP’s pensions spokeswoman, said she was told a woman killed herself “because she could not face what was going to happen to her” after the vote.

She urged the Government to perform a U-turn and give extra financial help to those affected by the move to increase the state pension age.

Theresa May’s £1 billion deal with the DUP to prop up her minority administration diminished ministerial claims about a lack of cash, the furious MP added.

It came as work and pensions minister Guy Opperman was accused of suggesting that women over 60 could complete apprenticeships while defending the policy.

Backbench Tories also voiced concerns and called for change, increasing the pressure on Mrs May to find a solution after the state pension age was raised from 60 to 65.

Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate, Ms Black said: "I got an email today from a woman, a Waspi woman ... and she was telling us that her friend committed suicide after the General Election result because she could not face what was going to happen to her.

"Citizens committing suicide over an issue that could be solved like that… An issue that the Government could do a U-turn on at any given moment.

"So when the Government manages to fork out a magical £1 billion to cling on to power, first of all you must really want the job of being the one that has to fix these things.

"Second of all, you don't get to claim that money is the reason you can't help when you can find £1 billion for self-interest."

Mhairi Black: The SNP frontbencher claims a woman killed herself over the election result
Parliamentlive.tv

Ms Black said the Government had rightly dropped pension plans included in its manifesto, adding: "What I would say, for hopefully the last time, just drop one more plan.

"Realise this is cross-party, this is across different backgrounds, different areas, this is people's mothers, this is your aunties, this is your sisters and cousins.

"So please can we do the right thing, do the job of Government and fix the problem and start looking after your people."

Mr Opperman was heckled by Opposition MPs as he outlined the Government's work around "lifelong learning".

He said: "The reality is over 200,000 people over 60 have entered further education since 2014/15.

"We have also extended apprenticeship opportunities as one of the best routes to skilled employment for people of all ages and gender.

"Such apprenticeships in England, for example, in 2014/15 ... 12 per cent of the starting apprenticeships were for those aged 45."

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