BPiA News, by Date, From All Categories
Report from The BPiA Frozen Pension Information Session in Parliament House
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 [...]
Annual Report, and Notice of AGM 2023
The Report and Notice of AGM 2023 are here
BPiA Raises Awareness of Frozen Pensions at CPTPP Meeting in Aukland
BPiA supported the recent "Frozen Pension" protest in Aukland to raise exposure at the CPTPP meeting The Photos are here here and here
FT Article – Should I Pay Voluntary UK NI Contributions?
Advice on Payment of Voluntary UK National Insurance Contributions The Deadline for payment of Voluntary UK NI contributions has bee extended to April 2025 The FT have published an article about if and when to pay voluntary UK National Insurance contributions. The Article is written primarily for UK Residents, but there is a section for Frozen Pensioners. It should be read in conjunction with BPiA Fact Sheet 4:- Voluntary [...]
BPiA invites all MPs and Senators to Frozen Pensions “Drop-in” Session
BPiA has organised a drop-in event in Parliament House Details:- Wednesday 2nd August between 10 am and noon in room R2.94. The purpose of the event is to educate MPs about the issue of frozen pensions. Invitations have been sent to all members of the House of Representatives and all Senators. The same invitation has been sent to everyone invited. You can read the invitation to Anthony Albanese by clicking [...]
BPiA Media Release: UK Extends Deadline for Voluntary Contributions – Again!
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 The Gov.UK website announcement is here FT Article explaining the situation (With the old outdated deadline) is here
Canadian MPs Fight for Frozen Pension Recipients
Canadian MPs Fight for Frozen Pension Recipients The Petition ask that UK Frozen Pensions be made part of Trade Negotiations with UK. The Speech in the Canadian Parliament is here Some of the signatures are here
Anthony Albanese gives “Same Old” Reply to BPiA President’s letter asking to raise frozen Pensions issue with UK PM.
Anthony Albanese has replied to the letter BPiA President Patrick Edwards wrote to him asking him to raise the issue of frozen pensions during his forthcoming meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The Reply has the same old excuse for inaction that is always given (Coloured RED in Albanese's reply). The Orginal letter is here The Reply is here
Member’s Fact Sheet 12 has been updated and Fact Sheets 23 and 25 have been added
Members Fact sheet 12 has been updated, and fact Sheets 23 and 25 have been added! Fact Sheet 12: Australian Age Pension Fact Sheet 23: Reciprocal Social Security Agreements Fact Sheet 25: The Carson Case
BPiA’s submission to the SSC on Cost of Living Accepted as No. 5 on their list!
The Senate Select Committee on Cost of Living has accepted BPiA's submission. BPiA's Submission is here It appears as number 5 (BPiA) on their list, here. The Acceptance letter is here
British pensioners have a friend in Canberra!
British pensioners have a friend in Canberra! Last November Julian Leeser MP wrote to Amanda Rishworth the Minister for Social Services on behalf of our President Patrick Edwards, regarding the issue of Frozen Pensioners. This is her reply: letter from Amanda Rishworth
BPiA President Writes to PM Anthony Albanese Asking Him to Raise Frozen Pensions Issue With UK PM Rishi Sunak.
BPiA President Patrick Edwards has written to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asking him to raise the issue of frozen pensions during his forthcoming meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The letter is here
**UPDATED** The Deadline for Making Voluntary UK NI Contributions has been Extended
**UPDATE (June 2023) The deadline has been extended, It is now April 2025** ** See BPiA Media Release on 13 June 2023 Here The UK government has extended the deadline for voluntary National Insurance contributions from 5th April 2023 to 31st July 2023** to give taxpayers more time to fill gaps in their National Insurance record and help increase the amount they receive in State Pension. The deadline relates [...]
BPiA’s President Patrick Edwards Interviewed on ABC Radio’s PM program.
BPiA's President Patrick Edwards was interviewed on ABC Radio's PM program, as part of a segment covering the cost of living problems for British "Frozen Pensioners" in Australia. Patrick appears around 04:00 You can listen to it here: Cost of living biting those with pensions frozen in time - ABC Radio
Member’s Fact Sheet 3 has been changed to “Are You Entitled to a UK State Pension”
Members Fact sheet 3 has been changed to: Fact Sheet 3: Are You Entitled to a UK State Pension Note that Fact Sheets 4, 19, and 24 have also been updated recently!
Member’s Fact Sheet 4 has been updated “Voluntary UK NI Contributions”
Members Fact sheet 4 has been updated! Fact Sheet 4: Voluntary UK National Insurance Contributions
BPiA’s magazine Fair Play (Issue 39: Feb 2023) is available
The latest issue of BPiA's magazine Fair Play (39: Feb 2023), is now available on the website for members and non-members. here
Member’s Fact Sheet 24: How to Contact Your MP and What to say, has been added, and Fact Sheet 19 updated
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
BPiA’s submission to the Senate Select Committee on Cost of Living
BPiA's submission to the Senate Select Committee on Cost of Living
BPiA’s Pre-Budget Submission to Treasury
BPiA's Pre-Budget submission to Treasury
** UPDATED** Deadline Approaching for Once in a Lifetime Chance to Top up UK Pension Contributions
**UPDATE: The deadline has been extended to April 2025** ** See BPiA Media release on 13th June 2023 Here Currently there is a once in a lifetime opportunity to top up your UK pension contributions. This ends on 5th April 2023**, make sure you don't miss out! This Article explains the situation
Leading UK Pensions Magazine Publicises the Unfairness of Frozen Pensions
The Leading UK Pensions Magazine "Pensions Age" has an article showing the unfairness of the Frozen Pensions Policy! Pensions Age article
BPiA Media Release: AUSTRALIANS FALL FURTHER BEHIND AS UK GOVERNMENT CONTINUES ITS DISCRIMINATORY POLICY
BPiA issued this Media Release on 1st Feb 2023: AUSTRALIANS FALL FURTHER BEHIND AS UK GOVERNMENT CONTINUES ITS DISCRIMINATORY POLICY
BPiA Media Release: The Window of Opportunity for British Expats About to Close
BPiA issued this Media Release on 16th Jan 2023: WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR BRITISH EXPATS ABOUT TO CLOSE
BPiA has a stall booked at the Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day – Volunteers Needed!
BPiA has a stall booked at the Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day 10 am to 9 pm on Sunday 19th Feb 2023. Volunteers are needed! Email: membership@bpia.org.au or Phone: 1 300 308 353
BPiA has a stall booked at the Brigadoon Highland Gathering – Volunteers needed
BPiA has a stall booked at the Brigadoon Highland Gathering on 1st April 2023. Volunteers are needed to man the stall! Phone: 1 300 308 353 or Email: membership@bpia.org.au
John Duffy has Resigned as Chairman of the ICBP due to ill health.
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 [...]
Lord Rennard Gave a Presentation to The BPiA AGM 2022
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 [...]
UK Department of Work & Pensions confirms reciprocal agreement not needed
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
Canadian MP Matt Jeneroux speaks out for Frozen Pensioners
Canadian MP Matt Jeneroux recently spoke for Frozen Pensioners in the Canadian House of Commons. Matts announcement is here November 29, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ottawa, ON – Matt Jeneroux, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Riverbend, released the following statement about British Pensioners not getting paid: “The pensions of around 125,000 UK expats have been frozen by the UK government recently. These include people who served in the British [...]
Report from the EndFrozenPensions delegation to London
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.
Successful BPiA Stand at the Perth Burswood Park “Have-a-go” Day
Photos from The successful BPiA stand at the Perth Burswood Park "Have-a-go" day in 2021 and 2022. Thanks to the Seniors Recreation Council of WA, for inviting BPiA to participate, and BPiA members Roger Tuffley and Colin Holmes in WA for making it happen! Photo from the 2021 event Photo from the 9th Nov 2022 event Photo from the 9th Nov 2022 event
BPiA Free Webinar on Frozen UK Pensions
Are you entitled to a Full or Part UK State Age Pension? Have you, or your spouse ever worked in the UK and paid National Insurance contributions? You may be entitled to a full or part UK State Age Pension, irrespective of nationality or where you now live. BPiA is holding a free Webinar to help you determine if you are eligible, how to maximise what you are entitled [...]
SMH exposes Australian Frozen Pensioner’s fury, and the BPiA Delegation’s Advocacy in London.
Sydney Morning Herald has published an excellent article exposing the unfairness of British Frozen Pensions and the fury it has caused. It also publicises the excellent work our BPiA delegation in London, which includes our President Patrick Edwards, is doing "educating" British MPs about the situation Full Article is here
EndFrozenPensions UK MP information sessions in London
BPiA's President, Patrick Edwards, is part of a Joint Delegation to UK MPs to give them information on the unfair Frozen Pensions situation. Most British MPs know very little about the frozen pensions situation, and how unfair it is. Tendo, Our agency in London, has organised "drop in" Information sessions in London for UK MPs as part of their #EndfrozenPensions campaign For information, Ex-Pat pensioners will soon have the [...]
Spring issue of BPiA’s magazine Fair Play is available
The latest issue (Spring 2022) of BPiA's magazine Fair Play is now available on the website for members and non-members. here
Sir Roger Gale UK APPG Chair writes to Amanda Rishworth
In June, Sir Roger Gale, Chair of the UK All Party Parliament Group on Frozen Pensions wrote to the New Australian Social Services Minister, Amanda Rishworth congratulating her, and making her aware of the scandal of the British frozen pensions policy. No reply has yet been received. The letter is here
Liz Truss Sacks UK Pensions Minister Guy Opperman, replaced by UK Alex Burghart
Liz Truss has sacked long serving UK Pensions Minister Guy Opperman, and replaced him with Alex Burghart MP. Neither has shown any sympathy for the Frozen Pensions cause over past years. You can Email him here: alex.burghart.mp@parliament.uk Or write to: Mr. Burghart at House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA Alex represents the Brentwood and Ongar Constituency, so this is of special interest to anyone who used to live [...]
Our President urges Anthony Albanese to discuss Social Security Agreement with Liz Truss while in UK
Our President wrote to PM Anthony Albanese, and received an acknowledgement, urging him, while in UK, to speak to UK PM Liz Truss about the Frozen Pension scandal, and the need for a social services agreement with the UK. The letter is here
UK Lib Dems Press for Frozen Pensions to be included in Trade Negotiations
Sarah Olney UK MP Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for International Trade, and Wendy Chamberlain UK MP Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Work & Pensions recently supported our campaign by writing to the Secretary of State for International Trade, pressing for the frozen pensions issue to be part of reciprocal agreements linked to free trade agreements. As you will see, from DIT's response, they effectively passed the buck to the Secretary of State for [...]
Find your UK MP’s Contact details
If you wish to contact your UK MP, you can search here using your last address in the UK.
Condolence Books and Obituary for HM Queen Elizabeth II
The BBC Obituary for HM Queen Elizabeth II is here. For those who wish to sign a Condolence book(s), there are official UK, and Australian books: UK (Obituary and Condolence book) Australian
Peter Dowd in UK Question Time, Raises The Debacle of Lost End of Life Forms in Canada
Peter Dowd MP, in UK Parliamentary Question Time, raised the debacle of Canadian Frozen Pensioner's "End of Life" forms that never arrived from UK DWP. There was no satisfactory answer to the question. Additionally (and not asked for) there was the usual blah blah "the situation for 70 years has been....." Video is here
Member’s Fact Sheets 1 & 3 Updated, 21 & 22 added
Updated Fact Sheet 1: Frozen Pensions Fact Sheet 3: Why the the UK Frozen Pensions Policy is Wrong. Added Fact Sheet 21: Life Certificates Fact Sheet 22: Notifying Change of Address to UK Pensions Service.
New Minister for Social Services Pledges Government support for Frozen Pensioners
Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services has responded to our President's congratulation letter on her appointment, by pledging Government support for UK Frozen Pensioners in Australia. Here
BBC Program: Sir Roger Gale requests that Frozen Pensions are put on CHOGM agenda.
The BBC recently aired a program featuring Sir Roger Gale requesting that Frozen Pensions be included on the upcoming CHOGM agenda. It includes interviews with John Duffy, and Anne Puckridge. BBC video is here
BPiA welcomes Amanda Rishworth as Minister for Social Services. Amanda has supported our Campaign in the past.
BPiA welcomes the appointment of Amanda Rishworth as Minister for Social Services. Ms Rishworth supported our campaign for a fair pension by moving a motion in the House of Representatives in 2008. See here. We are confident she remains constant in her opinion of right and wrong and will use her new position as a springboard for Australian Government action on this issue.
The West Australian Publishes BPiA’s Decades Long Fight to Unfreeze British Ex-Pat Pensions in Australia.
The West Australian interview with a BPiA member about BPiA's decades long fight over Frozen State British Ex-Pat Pensions in Australia. Note: Please follow the link in the article to sign the E-Petition to the UK Government.
Successful Day for BPiA at Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day
BPiA had a successful day at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day! British Pensions in Australia Inc. (BPiA) had a stall at this year’s Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair. The Fair was held on Sunday 20th February in Victoria Park, Camperdown. The Fair was forecast to attract over 60,000 visitors and with the beautiful weather and the easing of Covid restrictions may well have [...]
Tendo Press Release: British Pensions in Commonwealth hammered by soaring inflation
Tendo UK Press Release on rising prices
MP Brad Vis Presents Frozen Pension Petition to Canadian Parliament
Canadian MP Brad Vis recently presented a Frozen pensions petition to the Canadian Parliament. This Video is from CABP, our partner in the ICBP
YEAR OF THE TIGER
BPiA has sent a Chinese New Year card to all our representatives in Canberra with the message: 请做点什么来结束英国政府冻结养老金的政策。 目前有超过 200,000 名澳大利亚人受到该政策影响。澳大利亚纳税人每年因此损失 1.1 亿美元。 澳大利亚政府在结束这种对澳大利亚人的不公平待遇方面做得还不够。 我们只能依赖你们去促成改变。 祝虎年快乐! In English this says: “Please do something to end the British Government policy of frozen pensions. There are over 200,000 Australians affected and it is costing the Australian taxpayer $110 million a year. The Australian government is not doing enough to end this [...]
E-petition to UK Government asking for equal treatment of all UK and Ex-Pat Pensioners
There is a New E-Petition to UK government asking for equal treatment of Pensioners abroad! Let's try for 100.00 signatures to force another Parliamentary Debate! Please Sign and Share on this Link
Written Questions on Frozen Pensions from UK MPs and answers from UK ministers
UK MPs David Linden, Margaret Ferrier, and Andrew Rosindell recently put separate written questions, concerning UK Frozen Pensions, to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and the Secretary of State for Defence. The replies from the Ministers are, of course, the usual.... "long standing policy for 70 years..." "moving overseas is a personal choice..." .etc. The exchange of letters is below David Linden MP, written question, 22nd [...]
E-Petition Debate on Gurka’s Pensions. David Linden MP’s Speech
In the E-Petition Debate in Westminster Hall on Gurkha's Pensions on 22nd Nov 2021, the SNP Pensions Spokesperson David Linden MP gave a speech in support of the Gurkhas. His speech starts “Many Members have been engaged in the all-party parliamentary group on frozen British pensions for some time now. It remains a massive stain on global Britain’s brand that so many pensioners, particularly those who served this country, [...]
UK Frozen Pensions cost Australian taxpayers $110 million per year
Sen. Ruston's reply to Sen. Abetz indicates the cost to Australia of the UK Frozen Pension Policy is $110 million per year Sen Abetz' letter asking the cost to Australia of UK Frozen Pensions. Sen Ruston's reply giving an indicative cost of $110 million per year
How Did Your MP Vote?
How did your MP vote on the Bill to abolish the "Triple Lock"?
Frozen Pensioner’s Stories now available on the new BPiA Youtube Channel
The "End Frozen Pensions" campaign gathered Frozen Pensioner's Stories from around the world for "Frozen Pensions Day" These stories are now available on the New BPiA Youtube Channel. You can go there by using the direct link on the Website (Top Bar, on the right) Or follow this link Why not "subscribe" to the channel while you are there!
UK Press paying attention to “Frozen Pensions Day” booklet
The UK Press seem to be responding to the "Historic injustice" of British Frozen Pensions! This is in response to "Frozen Pensions Day", and the "Frozen Pensions Booklet" prepared by Tendo Consulting, and handed to The Prime Minister Daily Express: Daily Telegraph, as this article is Paywalled, here is the text from it. The Guardian: The Daily Mail is also preparing an article, which will be linked here when [...]
UK Frozen Pensions Day 2nd Nov 2021
The End Frozen Campaign, run by ICBP, designated 2nd Nov 2121 as "Frozen Pensions Day" They presented a booklet of research on frozen pensioners to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street The webpage is here The booklet has many stories and audio from Frozen Pensioners here
UK Government suffers defeat in House of Lords over “Triple Lock” suspension
BBC report of UK Government defeat in the House of Lords
2021 AGM (ZOOM meeting) is on Weds 10th Nov at 4pm AEDT
BPia's 2021 AGM is scheduled for Weds 10th Nov at 4pm AEDT. The meeting will be held online via ZOOM. See the Notice of AGM for details of how to attend the meeting.
Promotional Video from the Canadian Association of British Pensioners
CABP, Our Partner in the ICBP, have produced an informative promotional Video. British Pensioners in Australia should, of course contact BPiA, not the contacts shown in the video. CABP Video
Senator Ruston promises to raise frozen pensions with UK counterparts
Senator Ruston's letter
Australian Government says UK Frozen Pension Policy costs Australian taxpayers $110 million a year
You can buy an awful lot of hospital beds for $110 million a year. In her reply to Sen Eric Abetz, Sen Anne Ruston, Minister for Social Services, says that the estimated indicative cost to Australia of the UK policy of not indexing British Pensions is $110 million annually Sen Ruston's reply to Sen Abetz
MP forwarded members Frozen Pension query to Australian High Commissioner to the UK
A BPiA member asked her MP (Milton Dick) what action the Australian government was taking concerning "frozen" UK Pensions. It was nice to see that he forwarded the question to George Brandis (Australian High Commissioner to the UK), and to Marise Payne (Minister for Foreign Affairs) Milton Dick's letter to George Brandis, and Marise Payne Marise Payne's reply was, of course, the standard reply that it is long standing [...]
CBC News Report on British Frozen Pensions in Canada
CBC News report on British Frozen Pensions in Canada.
Treasury Abandons Plan to Abolish Class 2 NI Contributions
Treasury has confirmed that plans to abolish Class 2 National Insurance Contributions have been scrapped. Details in this article from Accountancy Daily
Fact Sheets 1 and 2 have been updated and renamed.
In the members only area: 1: Welcome to BPiA 2: Getting a State Pension Forecast
International Investment: Obituary for Jim Tilley
The International Investor's Obituary for Jim is here
Sydney Morning Herald: Tribute to Jim Tilley’s Life, and work with BPiA
The SMH Tribute to Jim is here
Julian Lesser MP’s Statement to the House of Reps concerning Jim Tilley and BPiA
Dated: 11th August 2021 Unfortunately Julian Lesser's speech was cut short due to the time for member's statements expiring. The video is here, and the full transcript, from Julian's Newsletter is below. Jim Tilley OAM British Pensioners in Australia will be saddened by the death of Jim Tilley OAM. I was pleased to say a few words about Jim in the House this week: Jim Tilley, who passed away [...]
Funeral Service for Jim Tilley
A Livestream Of Jim Tilley's Funeral service will be available for 90 days. Click here to view it: Funeral service for Jim Tilley You may need to enter the PIN: 8932
Lord Jones Questions Women’s Frozen Pensions in the House of Lords.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEqAviKuc8E Lord Jones questions Women's Frozen Pensions, in the House of Lords.
Jim Tilley OAM has Passed Away
Sadly, our founder, Jim Tilley OAM, passed away today, 29th July 2021, at 4.00am, Sydney Time Jim Tilley the tireless campaigner for UK pensioners in Australia, has left a powerful legacy. Incensed at the UK Government’s arbitrary and unjust frozen pension policy which sees the pensions paid to Australian residents frozen, Jim established British Pensions in Australia Inc. (BPiA) in 2003. From small beginnings, BPiA now boasts over 3,600 [...]
Sen. Eric Abetz asks Sen. Anne Ruston the cost to Australia of the UK Frozen Pension Policy
Senator Eric Abetz asks Senator Anne Ruston the cost to Australia of the UK Frozen Pension Policy. Senator Eric Abetz has written to Senator Anne Ruston (Minister for Families & Social Services) requesting any information available on the cost to Australia of the UK Frozen Pensions Policy. You can see the letter here.
Letter to The Age Congratulating Jim Tilley
Letter to The Age, congratulating Jim Tilley on his award of AO This letter congratulating Jim Tilley on his award of AO, appeared in The Age on Weds 16th June 2021
Sir Roger Gale urges Prime Minister to end frozen pensions in debate on the Queens Speech
Sir Roger Gale urges Prime Minister to end frozen pensions in debate on the Queens Speech You can watch him speaking on our behalf on Twitter here.
Stewart McDonald (Shadow SNP Spokesperson for Defence) asked questions of Guy Opperman
Stewart McDonald (Shadow SNP Spokesperson for Defence) asked questions of Guy Opperman You can read his questions and Guy Opperman’s answers here.
APPG on Frozen Pensions holds its AGM
APPG on Frozen Pensions holds its AGM The APPG on Frozen Pensions held its AGM on 19th May 2021. Sir Roger Gale MP was re-elected Chair of the APPG. Also elected as Vice Chairs were Lord German, Carol Monaghan MP, Lord Randall and Lord Foulks. Canadian MPs Paul Manly and Matt Jeneroux attended the AGM as did Kyle Nash , Head of Political Policy from the Australian High Commission. [...]
UK Government confirms Frozen Pension Policy is unchanged
Correspondence between Admiral Jeremy Larken, Christian Matheson MP, and the Department for Work and Pensions, confirms that the UK policy on frozen pensions is unchanged. Here is the reply to Admiral Jeremy Larken from Christian Matheson MP. Here is the reply from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Fact Sheet 18 added to members only area
Fact Sheet 18 added to the members only area: 18: What To Do When You Believe The Pension Service Has Made A Mistake
Yet more letters of support from Politicians!
Our President Patrick Edwards, has received two more letters from Politicians, confirming the ALP's, and the Federal Governments's positions regarding our UK Frozen Pensions campaign. Here is the Letter from Federal Assistant Minister Ben Morton MP. Here is the Letter from NSW Labor Senator Deborah O'Neill.
Australian Ministers again confirm support for our Campaign!
BPiA member Geoff Nadin, and Our President Patrick Edwards, have exchanged letters with Australian Government Ministers, Marise Payne, and Jane Hume. The Ministers assure us that the Australian Government will continue to raise the issue of frozen pensions with the UK Government, and that the Australian Department of Social Services and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade do work closely together, as they do with other government agencies. [...]
Australian Government Supports BPiA campaign to end Frozen Pensions
The All Party Parliamentary Group inquiry into UK pensions paid abroad published its report on 16th December 2020. The overall finding of the APPG is that the policy of frozen pensions is illogical, unfair and causes significant distress. The Report includes a submission by The Hon George Brandis QC, Australian High Commissioner in London. The submission includes the statement "The Australian Government's view is that all UK pensioners have paid [...]
Jim Tilley interviewed on Radio Station 6PR
You can listen to the interview at https://www.6pr.com.au/podcast/the-fight-to-get-the-uk-pension-indexed/
BPiA Celebrates VJ Day By Writing To The Prime Minister
BPiA Chairman, Brian Owles, has sent a copy of Broken Faith to Scott Morrison to coincide with the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day. In his covering letter, Brian pointed out the unfair treatment of veterans by the British Government. He asked the Prime Minister to raise the issue with the British Government. Two of our members, Patricia Coulthard and Robert Haley, who are themselves veterans of WW2, have [...]
BPiA Makes Submission on Australia/UK Free Trade Agreement
In July, our Chairman, Brian Owles made a submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the frozen pension issue. He pointed out that 228,000 pensioners who live in Australia were affected. He also said that the issue of frozen pensions did not only affect the pensioners but that an estimated $500 million per annum is lost in foreign currency transfers into the economy and that [...]
Unfair Frozen Pensions
Unfair: Veterans urge PM to raise "frozen pensions" with UK Government. Click here for an article appeared in The Murray Valley Standard.
Broken Faith Delivered to MP
We have delivered a copy of Broken Faith to Paul Fletcher Federal MP for Bradfield. Broken Faith is a booklet produced by ICBP (the International Consortium of British Pensioners), of which BPiA is a member. Broken Faith includes details of many veterans who have fought in the Second World War and other conflicts on behalf of the British people but who have had their old age pension frozen because [...]
A Speech by HRH Prince Charles
HRH Prince Charles says UK veterans of the war in the Far East "are respected, thanked and cherished with all our hearts, and for all time". Is the British Government listening?
BPiA Calling on Australian Prime Minister
This Media Release was issued today: The British Pensioners in Australia (BPiA) are again calling on Australian Prime Minister to urge the Government of the United Kingdom to unfreeze pension payments for UK retirees living in Australia, many of whom are poverty-stricken. BPiA will today deliver their ‘Broken Faith’ booklet to the PM’s electorate office under cover of letter in an attempt to gather support for their cause. The [...]
Windrush Generation of Discriminated UK Pensioners
Here's an excellent article published in The Guardian that takes up the issue of the Windrush generation of discriminated UK Pensioners. Click HERE to read it. (You will have to register as a Guardian reader but there's no paywall charge involved.)
Our Representative in London Holds Virtual Meetings with Members of APPG
Tendo held "virtual" meetings with Sir Roger Gale MP (pictured), Bell Ribeiro Addy MP and Lord Randall of Uxbridge. They also held follow up conversations with Neil Gray MP and Amy Callaghan MP and secured support from Daisy Cooper MP, Kirsty Blackman MP, Neale Hanvey MP and Kirsten Oswald MP. In the virtual meeting with Lord Randall, Tendo took him through the plan for the campaign and discussed a [...]
BPiA Representatives Meet FTA Negotiating Team
Brian Owles, Patrick Edwards and Desmond Woods of BPiA met Melissa Cheesman (Senior Adviser to Senator Birmingham (Minister for Trade Tourism and Investment)), Alex Taylor (Senior Adviser to Senator Ruston (Minister for Social Services), George Mina (First Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Cathy Raper (First Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) to press for the frozen pensions issue to be raised with the [...]