Uprating means that pensions are adjusted every year to align with inflation - with the cost of living rising, pensions are indexed so pensioners can continue to get by. If a state pension is not increased, it is 'frozen' and therefore falls in value year on year.
500,000 UK pensioners, just under half of those living overseas, now live in countries where their state pensions are frozen. This includes British pensioners living in Overseas Territories such as the Falkland Islands. This arbitrary post-code lottery means that UK citizens in the USA, the European Union, Israel or Jamaica rightfully receive a full state pension. But those in other countries, such as Canada and Australia, do not.
Over 90% of affected pensioners live in Commonwealth nations with close cultural ties to the UK. Many moved overseas for employment opportunities, or to live near friends and family. Others are members of the Windrush generation, who were invited to live and work in Britain at the call of the UK Government and have now been punished for returning to their country of birth.
Half of frozen pensioners receive a state pension of just £65 per week, or less. Almost all were unaware that their state pensions would be frozen before they left the UK.
Now, they are victims of geography. The End Frozen Pensions campaign believes that all pensioners, no matter where they happen to live, should be paid equally. Find out more at endfrozenpensions.org
Please sign the petition End Frozen Pensions
And email Your MP or the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to help these people here
