Pension Protection Lifeboat Fund amendment lost by 22 votes.

Supported by a large number of Dexion pensioners in the public gallery, Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, made a moving speech on their behalf in the House of Commons yesterday.

In a debate on the Pensions Bill, Mike called for MPs of all parties to support a amendment to set up a ‘Pension Protection Lifeboat Fund’ that would provide immediate help to all those that need it. Many of the people involved cannot wait for a further six months or a year as the wait is making many of those affected ill. There has been an increase in stress-related illnesses amongst those involved and a disproportionate number of strokes.

The vote was lost by 282 votes to 260.

After the vote, Mike said: “I commend the difficult decision made by a number of Labour MPs to support this amendment, but am naturally disappointed that the number was not enough.

“The Dexion pensioners – and thousands of others in the same position – deserve better and I feel that the Government has, yet again, let them down.

“These hardworking and honest people did the right thing and saved for their retirement. Now they and their loved ones are living in poverty. It is against all sense of natural justice.”