'Rishi Sunak should look at France burning before raising retirement age'

01 May 2023 , 22:02

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Protesters in Paris are setting fire to the streets (Image: Guillaume Pinon/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)

Rishi Sunak should look at what happened in France before he raises the retirement age.

Millions took to the streets when President Emmanuel Macron raised it from 62 to 64.

In the UK, the Government is already increasing the retirement age, without proper consultation, to 67 from 2028.

The PM now looks to bring forward to 2036 from 2046 the scheduled rise to 68.

These incremental rises deny workers the chance of a happy and healthy retirement. They also fail to take into account those who work in manual jobs which sap physical health.

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Many don’t have the option of working into their late 60s.

The decision to raise the retirement age was taken when life expectancy was forecast to keep rising but, after more than a decade of the Tories, this is no longer true.

Mr Sunak should rule out any plans to bring forward a rise in the retirement age.

If he presses ahead he may find that it is not just the French who are prepared to demonstrate to protect their rights.

Make ’em pay

Many are struggling to pay their bills as energy companies rake it in (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The energy crisis has left many millions struggling. But it has been a boon for oil and gas giants, raking in £60million a day.

This money is not due to good management. It’s down to Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

These excess profits are evidence of the feebleness of the Government’s windfall tax.

If Britain really wants to help with the cost of living it would follow Norway and impose a hefty tax on its North Sea oil and gas firms.

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A similar levy in the UK could raise billions – enough to cut fuel bills and help insulate our damp and draughty housing stock.

Abbey times

The presenters received invitations to the Coronation (AFP via Getty Images)

Television royalty will rub shoulders with real royalty at the Coronation.

TV hosts Ant & Dec will be at the Abbey after receiving invitations to the event.

As it’s on a Saturday they even have time for a takeaway afterwards.

Voice of the Mirror