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Government pushes ahead with plans to raise state pension age for women
The UK coalition government has won a vote in the House of Commons to take forward plans to raise the state pension age for women. 500,000 women will now have to wait 18 months to two years longer than they expected before they can collect their state pension, costing them up to £15,000 each.
The equalisation of the state pension between men and women will now be accelerated with women’s retirement age rising from 60 to 65 in 2018, two years earlier than previous plans. The retirement age will then rise to 66 for both men and women in 2020.
Many of the women affected, who are currently in their mid to late 50s, are already seriously disadvantaged when it comes to pensions, especially those who work part-time. Most of the women will have earned less over their lifetime, have less savings, and less of a pension than men of the equivalent age. Many of the women will also have had interrupted careers due to taking time out to care for children, which means they will have vast holes in their pension pots. Many will also not have had access to company pension schemes. On top of this, these women have now been given very little notice to make alternative plans for their retirement.
More than 170 MPs have now signed a Commons motion calling for a rethink over the plans, including both Conservative and Liberal Democrat backbenchers.
Close the Gap newsround (7)
Missed our tweets or Facebook updates? Catch up with the latest events, news, consultations and research.
EVENTS
Wednesday 8th June, Engender Office, 5.30 – 7pm
Is it time for Quotas?
After this month’s Scottish Parliamentary elections, we now have 45 women MSP’s out of 129, that’s 34.8%. Though the number is up from 43 (33.3%), after the 2007 election, the trend behind the numbers – with more women being elected from regional lists than constituency votes for the first time – points to a gradual decline.
Roadshows to engage with women across Scotland. Various dates and places throughout June.
NEWS
Gender equality-it's just good economic sense
The Corporate Gender Gap Report: how is the UK performing?
Schools failing to help girls escape career stereotypes, says Ofsted
Female engineer heads up Engineering Council
It's true – there are too few women presenting science on TV
Women at the Top: employers urged to create a robust 'pipeline' for women's progression
In Switzerland women earn 41% less than men
The cost of failing to address equal pay in local governement
Christine Largarde, French Finance Minister announces candidacy for top post at IMF
Michelle Bachelet in address to UK Parliament says gender eqaulity means improved GNP
In Australia women would need to work an extra 63 days to close the pay gap
Concern over the impact of the UK Government's policies on women
Ireland proposing to remove funding from parties unless gender quota is reached
Quotas and women-only shortlists aren't popular, but they work
CONSULTATIONS
UK Government, deadline 10 June: Women's Engagement: Strengthening women's voices in Government.
European Commission, deadline 15 June: Public consultation on the future funding activities in the area of Justice, Fundamental Rights and Equalities
RESEARCH
Research conducted with German companies on felxible working times reveals the tensions between imposed flexible time, employee autonomy and productivity. Full research reference:
Kattenbach R., Demerouti E., & Nachreiner F., (2010) 'Flexible working times: effects on employees' exhaustion, work-nonwork conflict and job performance', Career Development International, Vol.15, No. 3, pp 279-295.
Opportunity Now Benchmarking Trend Analysis 2010-2011
Close the Gap weekly (5)
This week we have events from the UKRC and a link to the UK Government's consultation on 'Strengthening Women's Voices in Government.'
EVENTS
24-25 May 2011
WiSE Conference: Counting on Women- Gender, Care and Economics
Speakers: Professor Marilyn Waring, globally renowned feminist economist and Professor Martha Fineman, internationally renowned law and society scholar.
The UKRC highlights apprentice recruitment drive by Jaguar Land Rover
March 2011
The UKRC welcome UN Status of Women Commission’s focus on science and technology
NEWS
Flexible working regulation to be scrapped
Cutting red tape can mean scaling back on equality
Women face discrimination for senior IT positions, claims study
Walmart sex-bias case divides US supreme court
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Promoting a a new generation of engineers in Highland and Islands
Scottish Enterprise
Close the Gap weekly (4)
This week we have events listed from Engender, WINNET8 and the UKRC and some news items on the 'glass ceiling.'
EVENTS
Tuesday 1 March, various places
Engender are hosting a series of events as part fo their Who Counts? Project. The events are across Scotland and will bring together the voices of women in poverty in Scotland. At 1pm purple and white balloons will be released from each venue.
Apprenticeship and Training Summit
Tuesday 1 March, The Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh.
Panal speakers include Emily Thomson, Dept. Economics and International Business, Glasgow Caledonian University. Who will bring her expertise on gender segregation in the Modern Apprenticeship Programme to the panel.
WINNET 8 Inspiring enterprise for women in Scotland
Tuesday 8 March 2011, 915pm-245pm, Surgeon's Hall, Edinburgh
Women represent 28% of business start-ups in Scotland. This event is for practitioners, managers and policy-makers who support business growth and wider enterprise and economic development initaitives. Speakers include Jim Mather Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Tanya Ewing, British Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 and Brian Smail, Business Gateway.
Meet Online and explore the Future of Women in Chemistry and Science
Tuesday 1 March
2011 is the Internationla Year of Chemistry. There are many event across the globe celebrating the achievements of chemistry and the contributions to the well being of society. This virtual conference focuses on exploring women in chemistry and in leadership roles in science.
Women in Engineering & Technology Global Marathon
From Monday 7th to Friday 11th March 2011, the Global Marathon becomes a place for connecting girls and women in engineering and technology who “meet” via live internet chats, telephone conversations, webcasts and live events over the course of six days.
The responsibility of women in technology innovation: Why should we care?
International Women's Day Distinguished Guest Lecture By Sarah Williams-Gardener, Government Affairs Director, IBM UK Ltd. Lecture is in London.
Leading scientific researchers and artists discuss the continuing under-representation of women in science.
NEWS
Women still face a glass ceiling
FT - Women at the Top:Women on Boards: Time for the Stick
Public Sector Duty: non-statutory guidance for Scottish public authorities
Close the Gap weekly (3)
This week there is news on skills shortages, guidance from the EHRC and details of an event organised by WINNET8, a partnership project linking Scotland with Europe in tackling occupational segregation.
EVENTS
WINNET 8 Inspiring enterprise for women in Scotland
Tuesday 8 March 2011, 915pm-245pm, Surgeon's Hall, Edinburgh
Women represent 28% of business start-ups in Scotland. This event is for practitioners, managers and policy-makers who support business growth and wider enterprise and economic development initaitives. Speakers include Jim Mather Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Tanya Ewing, British Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 and Brian Smail, Business Gateway.
NEWS
Skills gap 'hits finance growth'
Scottish Investment Operations suggest that graduates are 'ill-equiped' to work in the sector.
Exclusive: Skills warning as building jobs lost
Warnings over long term loss of roofers, masons, bricklayers to the sector.
New public sector equality duty guidance launched
The guides are for public authorities in England and for bodies with non-devolved functions in Scotland and Wales. Separate Codes and guidance on the equality duty will be available from the Commission for public authorities in Scotland (Mid-February) and in Wales (April) to coincide with the publication of the specific duty respective regulations.
EHRC have published new guidance on using the CEDAW convention
Poor work-life balance hinders women in senior roles
'New' University of the Highlands and Islands
The UKRC stays open for business
WISE and the UKRC unite for gender equality
The UKRC and WISE see this as a positive step to offering an integrated 'all-age' approach to tackling the challneges facing girls and women studying and working in SET.
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