Voting eligibility for UK Ex-Pats is about to be extended from 15 years to Lifetime, see Fact Sheet 26 Fact Sheet 26: Voting in UK General Elections Fact Sheet 27: Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
CABP recently got an article published in the UK Daily Telegraph about frozen pensions. It features CABP board member Peter Sanguinetti, who tells his story of having to go back to work in his 80’s, driving school buses to make ends meet. The article is a result of lots of hard work by the CABP Board, Nigel Nelson and Tendo, the PR company which is jointly funded by CABP and BPiA through ICBP Unfortunately, the article is behind a paywall, but you can see it by signing up for a free one-month trial. If you are a CABP member [...]
The BPiA "Drop-in" frozen Pensions Information Session for MPs and Senators on 2nd August 2023 in Parliament House was a great success! BPiA was represented by our President Patrick Edwards and his wife Colleen, Garry Gordon, Chris and Peta Mackenzie. The Drop-In session went well. Staff present said they had never seen so many MPs either turn up or send representatives for an information session. Four MPs signed our Coreflute Petition. Among them were Ian Goodenough Patrick had a meeting with Amanda Rishworth (Social services Minister) which went well. She has been a long time supporter of our [...]
The Report and Notice of AGM 2023 are here
BPiA issued this Media Release on 13th June 2023: UK Extends Deadline for Voluntary Contributions – Again! The Gov.UK website announcement is here FT Article explaining the situation (With the old outdated deadline) is here
Members Fact sheet 24 has been added, and Fact Sheet 19 has been updated! Fact Sheet 24: How to Contact Your MP, and What to Say. Fact Sheet 19: Current and Historical Contribution and Pension Rates
We are sorry to report that John Duffy, the ICBP Chairman who recently led the ICBP delegation visit to the UK has had to stand down from all frozen pensioner work due to ill health. We would like thank John for his determined leadership and campaigning since 2017 and wish him the very best in his health journey. The rest of the ICBP board will continue the campaign for unfreezing of pensions around the world, which was advanced during the recent delegation visit and a new Chair will be identified some time in the New Year. [...]
Lord Rennard gave a presentation direct from London to the BPiA AGM on 6th Dec 2022. Lord Rennard is a Liberal Democrat Life Peer who was instrumental in getting the changes to the Election Act which removed the 15 year time limit for non-residents to vote in the UK. The AGM was held via Zoom, and members from several countries around the world attended. The presentation gave valuable insights on how best to progress our case with the UK Government, and finished with a Q&A session. The Video is here
Department of Work & Pensions confirms reciprocal agreement not needed In answer to a "Freedom of Information" request, the UK DWP has confirmed that a reciprocal social services agreement is not required to "unfreeze" UK Pensions. They also confirmed that there are no plans to change the existing 70 year old policy on Frozen Pensions. The DWP FOI response is here
Our President Patrick Edwards and other members of the ICBP delegation have met a leading KC and a successful human rights lawyer to investigate possible legal solutions for our campaign. Read the full report in the BPiA Monthly Newsletter to be published next week.
