Anne Puckridge, a 99-year-old World War Two veteran, is traveling 4,400 miles from her home in Canada to the UK to fight for justice for herself and nearly half a million British pensioners living abroad. Their state pensions have been frozen at the level they were when they first claimed them outside the UK, in countries like Canada and Australia. Puckridge’s pension has been frozen at £72.50 a week since she moved to Canada in 2001, despite the current UK state pension being £169.50 a week.
She says this has caused her to miss out on £50,000 over the past 23 years. “I can’t remember when I bought anything new, and I have to limit even essential purchases to thrift and similar stores,” Puckridge said. “Social activity and entertainment are mainly only memories, and festive seasons such as Christmas or birthdays are embarrassing rather than exciting events.”
The End Frozen Pensions campaign calls the policy “cruel and unnecessary.” They argue that pensioners like Puckridge, who lived and worked in the UK until she was 76 and paid taxes and National Insurance contributions, deserve the same annual increases as those living in Britain.
Fighting unjust frozen pensions
A government spokesperson said: “We understand people move abroad for many reasons, and we provide clear information on how this can impact their finances in retirement, with the policy on the uprating of the UK state pension for recipients living overseas a longstanding one.”
During her visit to the UK, Puckridge plans to meet with MPs, attend Prime Minister’s Questions, and be hosted by the Canadian High Commission in London. She had requested a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but he declined, instead offering a meeting with Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds.
Puckridge expressed disappointment but appreciated the alternative arrangement. “The suffering caused by this situation is real, pressing and has endured for far too long,” she said. “It is for this reason that I still fully intend to travel to Westminster in a few days’ time and meet with the many political figures who have, for their part, dedicated some of their time to speak with me personally.”
Thirty-two UK parliamentarians have signed a pledge urging the Prime Minister to meet with Puckridge during her December visit.
Her story highlights the ongoing struggles faced by many British pensioners living abroad and raises questions about the fairness of current pension policies.
