A new report from the London School of Economics (LSE) has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise the state pension age to 68 as part of a broader strategy to reduce public spending and improve overall wellbeing in the UK.
The report, co-authored by Labour peer Lord Layard, suggests that this move could free up billions of pounds for crucial services like policing and mental health support.
As Reeves prepares to deliver her first Budget next month, the LSE report emphasises the importance of prioritising policies that maximise wellbeing and minimise misery. Lord Layard, an economist and advocate for evidence-based policy, argued that government spending should be directed towards initiatives with the highest benefit-to-cost ratios.
Currently, the state pension age is set at 66, with plans to increase it to 67 between 2026 and 2027. However, the report recommends accelerating the rise to 68, which could potentially save the Exchequer £6.1 billion. This suggestion comes at a time when the Treasury is grappling with the economic challenges posed by an ageing population.
According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, the state pension cost the government £125 billion in the fiscal year 2023-2024. The report warns that the growing number of retirees poses a significant economic challenge, with the ratio of working-age individuals to those over 65 projected to decrease sharply by 2070. The current ratio of three working-age people for every retiree is expected to fall to two, making the current pension model increasingly unsustainable.
A decline in life expectancy
The LSE report also points to the recent decline in life expectancy, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, as a factor complicating the pension age debate. Despite these challenges, the authors stress the need for a long-term strategy that includes raising the pension age and rethinking spending priorities.
In addition to pension reform, the report advocates for increased investment in areas that enhance public wellbeing, such as NHS Talking Therapies, addiction treatment, and employment support for those with moderate mental health issues. These programs, the report claims, are cost-effective as they lead to higher employment rates, increased tax revenue, and reduced benefit dependency.
The authors also highlight the potential benefits of guaranteed apprenticeships, wellbeing education in schools, and expanded policing. These initiatives, though costly, are seen as providing significant returns in terms of societal wellbeing.
To fund these investments, the report suggests making cuts in less critical areas, including road construction and the winter fuel allowance for those not on benefits, alongside the proposed pension age increase.
The report underscores a need for the government to undergo a major shift in its budgetary priorities, moving towards a model that places a greater emphasis on the overall happiness and wellbeing of the British public.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
