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Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Home notifies V-P Dhankhar resignation, RS informed
A day after Jagdeep Dhankhar's surprise announcement that he was stepping down as Vice President with immediate effect, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday notified his resignation. In a gazette notification signed by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, the MHA attached Dhankhar's resignation letter which he made public on Monday evening. 'The following resignation of Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India, is hereby published for general information,' said the gazette notification on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the Rajya Sabha was informed about the MHA's notification. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh presided over the proceedings of the House in the morning. He also called on President Droupadi Murmu in the evening. As soon as the Rajya Sabha met in the morning, Harivansh announced: 'The occurrence of vacancy in the office of honourable Vice President is envisaged in the Constitution. As and when communication in respect of further constitutional process is received, same shall be shared.' The Rajya Sabha was then adjourned till noon as Opposition MPs disrupted proceedings, demanding discussions on various issues including the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. CPI member P Sandosh Kumar also gave a notice to discuss Dhankhar's 'unexpected and unprecedented' resignation. When the House reconvened at noon, Ghanshyam Tiwari, who was chairing the proceedings, said: 'The Ministry of Home Affairs, vide a notification on July 22, has conveyed the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar under Article 67A of the Constitution with immediate effect.' The House was then adjourned till 2 pm as the Opposition continued to protest. Dhankhar, meanwhile, is learnt to have remained at his official residence on Tuesday. He did not go to Parliament or attend any meetings. As per the Vice-President's Pension, Housing and Other Facilities Rules, 1999, former V-Ps are entitled to a government residence in any station of their choice for the remainder of their life. While the government did not respond to Dhankhar's resignation on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said in a post on X: 'Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.' Reacting to the PM's post, Congress MP and communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh said the PM's 'non-post' on Dhankhar's 'forced resignation has only added to the mystery of his abrupt exit'. 'Surely the PM could have been a bit more gracious — he is, after all, the supreme master of hypocrisy. The kisanputra is being denied even a dignified farewell,' he said on X. In a separate post, Ramesh said Dhankhar's resignation 'speaks highly of him' and 'also speaks poorly of those who had got him elected as V-P'. Terming Dhankhar's resignation as an 'unprecedented move', Ramesh said: 'He has given health reasons for doing so. Those should be respected. But it is also a fact that there are far deeper reasons for his resignation.' CPI's P Sandosh Kumar said Dhankhar's resignation shows the 'mysterious ways in which BJP functions'. 'It shows how the BJP deals with people in highest offices. The resignation was so sudden, and shows how the top two people in BJP handle people. It is an aristocratic system,' he told The Indian Express. —inputs from Damini Nath Asad Rehman is with the national bureau of The Indian Express and covers politics and policy focusing on religious minorities in India. A journalist for over eight years, Rehman moved to this role after covering Uttar Pradesh for five years for The Indian Express. During his time in Uttar Pradesh, he covered politics, crime, health, and human rights among other issues. He did extensive ground reports and covered the protests against the new citizenship law during which many were killed in the state. During the Covid pandemic, he did extensive ground reporting on the migration of workers from the metropolitan cities to villages in Uttar Pradesh. He has also covered some landmark litigations, including the Babri Masjid-Ram temple case and the ongoing Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath temple dispute. Prior to that, he worked on The Indian Express national desk for three years where he was a copy editor. Rehman studied at La Martiniere, Lucknow and then went on to do a bachelor's degree in History from Ramjas College, Delhi University. He also has a Masters degree from the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia. ... Read More Divya A reports on travel, tourism, culture and social issues - not necessarily in that order - for The Indian Express. She's been a journalist for over a decade now, working with Khaleej Times and The Times of India, before settling down at Express. Besides writing/ editing news reports, she indulges her pen to write short stories. As Sanskriti Prabha Dutt Fellow for Excellence in Journalism, she is researching on the lives of the children of sex workers in India. ... Read More
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
State Pension payments could be frozen due to soaring costs of annual uprating under Triple Lock
Financial expert Claire Trott suggests further increases to the age of retirement may help control soaring State Pension costs. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? Under the Triple Lock, the New and Basic State Pensions increase each year in-line with whichever is the highest between average annual earnings growth from May to July, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation in the year to September or 2.5 per cent. Over the 2025/26 financial year, the State Pension will cost the UK Government an estimated £145.6 billion. Last month, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell quashed growing speculation on social media that the State Pension would become means-tested under the Labour Government. However, Claire Trott, Head of Advice at St. James's Place, warns that the long-term sustainability of the State Pension Triple Lock is a topic that won't go away, despite political parties' reluctance to address it. She suggests one way around the ever-increasing costs of the Triple Lock could be to freeze the State Pension and increase access to Pension Credit, the most under-claimed means-tested benefit delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Another option could be to increase the State Pension age, which she said is the 'most viable and publicly palatable option'. The State Pension age is set to start rising from 66 to 67 next year, with the increase due to be completed for all men and women across the UK by 2028. The planned change to the official age of retirement has been in legislation since 2014 with a further State Pension age rise from 67 to 68 set to be implemented between 2044 and 2046. People born on April 6, 1960 will reach State Pension age of 66 on May 6, 2026 while those born on March 5, 1961 will reach State Pension age of 67 on February 5, 2028. You can check your own State Pension age online here. Ms Trott explained: 'The long-term affordability of the Triple Lock has been questioned for some time and understandably so. With people living longer and the Triple Lock delivering higher increases more frequently than originally anticipated, the cost has exceeded expectations and is only set to rise further. 'Yet despite the fiscal pressure, it remains a politically sensitive promise. With many pensioners still living in poverty, and also being a reliable voting demographic, few politicians are willing to risk tampering with it. 'If reform were to be considered, any proposal would need to ensure adequate support for those on the lowest incomes. Means-testing is often raised as a solution, but in practice it's unlikely to be pursued, given the cost and complexity of implementation outweighs the savings.' The financial expert continued: 'There are other options such as freezing the State Pension and increasing access to Pension Credit which might be a more pragmatic route - it's already in place and better targeted to those who need help most. 'Raising the State Pension age has been controversial in the past, but it's arguably the most viable and publicly palatable option in the longer term, as people continue to live and work for longer.' State Pension Triple Lock Nearly 13 million State Pensioners across Great Britain, including over one million living in Scotland, should start to keep an eye on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate as it forms part of the Triple Lock measure which determines the annual uprating for the contributory benefit. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show UK inflation decreased to 3.4 per cent in May, down from 3.5 per cent in April. Annual growth in employees' average wages for regular earnings (excluding bonuses) was 5.6 per cent and total earnings (including bonuses) was 5.5 per cent. The New and Basic State Pension increased by 4.7 per cent in April, which means someone on the full New State Pension currently receives £230.25 per week, or £921 every four-week pay period. Those on the full Basic State Pension receive £176.45 each week, or £705.80 every four-week pay period. State Pension uprating predictions for 2026/27 The Triple Lock is currently on track to be determined by the earnings growth element which is currently at 5.5 per cent. However, this figure may go up or down and isn't the final metric that will determine the level of uprating. The next CPI figure will be published by the ONS on July 17. That being said, a 5.5 per cent increase on the current State Pension would see people receive the following amounts. Full New State Pension Weekly: £242.90 Four-weekly pay period: £971.60 Annual amount: £12,630.80 Full Basic State Pension Weekly: £186.25 Four-weekly pay period: £744.60 Annual amount: £9,679.80 The annual uprating won't be confirmed until the Autumn Budget, but pensioners - and those due to retire next year - can start to plan their finances by following the Triple Lock measurements. The September CPI figure will be published in mid-October, but the wages growth figure is usually published in August.
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
People on New State Pension could be due nearly £1,000 every month from next April
The annual uprating will be announced at the Autumn Budget but pensioners can start calculating the Triple Lock uplift now. Income tax rises for Scots in April - how the changes affect you Nearly 13 million State Pensioners across Great Britain, including over one million living in Scotland, should start to keep an eye on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate as it forms part of the Triple Lock measure which determines the annual uprating for the contributory benefit. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show UK inflation decreased to 3.4 per cent in May, down from 3.5 per cent in April. Annual growth in employees' average wages for regular earnings (excluding bonuses) was 5.6 per cent and total earnings (including bonuses) was 5.5 per cent. Under the Triple Lock measure, State Pensions increase each year in-line with whichever is the highest of average annual earnings growth from May to July, CPI in the year to September or 2.5 per cent. The New and Basic State Pension increased by 4.7 per cent in April, which means someone on the full New State Pension currently receives £230.25 per week, or £921 every four-week pay period. Those on the full Basic State Pension receive £176.45 each week, or £705.80 every four-week pay period. State Pension uprating predictions for 2026/27 The Triple Lock is currently on track to be determined by the earnings growth element which is currently at 5.5 per cent. However, this figure may go up or down and isn't the final metric that will determine the level of uprating. The next CPI figure will be published by the ONS on July 17. That being said, a 5.5 per cent increase on the current State Pension would see people receive the following amounts. Full New State Pension Weekly: £242.90 Four-weekly pay period: £971.60 Annual amount: £12,630.80 Full Basic State Pension Weekly: £186.25 Four-weekly pay period: £744.60 Annual amount: £9,679.80 The annual uprating won't be confirmed until the Autumn Budget, but pensioners - and those due to retire next year - can start to plan their finances by following the Triple Lock measurements. The September CPI figure will be published in mid-October, but the wages growth figure is usually published in August. State Pension and tax The Labour Government confirmed earlier this year that the Personal Allowance will remain frozen at £12,570 until April 2028. If the New and Basic State Pension increased by the lower measure of the Triple Lock (2.5%), it would see the full New State Pension exceed the income tax threshold by nearly £79 in the 2027/28 financial year (£12,578.80). While the amount of State Pension to be taxed may seem relatively small - tax is only paid on the amount over the Personal Allowance - older people with other income streams could find themselves having to part with more cash to pay a tax bill - if it's not automatically deducted from private or workplace pensions through PAYE. And remember, that figure is based on the lower measure of the Triple Lock. Using the current projections, more pensioners could be dragged into the retirement tax net sooner, especially if they have additional income through a private or workplace pension. What is taxed Guidance on states: 'You pay tax if your total annual income adds up to more than your Personal Allowance. Find out about your Personal Allowance and Income Tax rates. Your total income could include: the State Pension you get - Basic or New State Pension Additional State Pension a private pension (workplace or personal) - you can take some of this tax-free earnings from employment or self-employment any taxable benefits you get any other income, such as money from investments, property or savings Check if you have to pay tax on your pension Before you can check, you will need to know: if you have a State Pension or a private pension how much State Pension and private pension income you will get this tax year (April 6 to April 5) the amount of any other taxable income you'll get this tax year (for example, from employment or state benefits) You cannot use this tool if you get: any foreign income Marriage Allowance Blind Person's Allowance Use this online tool at to check if you have to pay tax on your pension. The full guide to tax when you get a pension can be found on here.
National Post
04-07-2025
- General
- National Post
Canadian woman says after CRA mistakenly declared her dead, she has been 'resurrected'
Article content She provided Service Canada with documents in person that confirmed her identity, as well as a letter from her doctor. She said she was told that, even though she had just retired, she may not receive Canada Pension Plan payments while she was declared dead. Article content She said she also had to apply for a new social insurance number because her old one had been deactivated. Article content On Monday, the CRA and Service Canada called Miller to tell her the issue was resolved. She told CTV News she was 'resurrected.' She expects to receive pension payments by the end of this month. Article content 'In situations where it is determined that an error was made, the process is to simply remove the date of death from the taxpayer's file and the taxpayer's CRA account is restored,' per the CRA's statement. Article content 'This also reverses any letters or changes to taxes or benefits, which were issued in error. The reversal is immediate, though it can sometimes take a few weeks for letters to be re-issued and adjustments to be recalculated.' Article content
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New State Pension age set to change next year for people with these birthdays
The State Pension age will increase from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people born between certain dates to check when they will be eligible to claim their State Pension using the online tool at The State Pension age is set to start rising from 66 to 67 next year, with the increase due to be completed for all men and women across the UK by 2028. The planned change to the official age of retirement has been in legislation since 2014 with a further State Pension age rise from 67 to 68 set to be implemented between 2044 and 2046. In a recent post on X, formerly Twitter, the DWP wrote: 'Born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961? Check today to find out what your State Pension age will be.' People born on April 6, 1960 will reach State Pension age of 66 on May 6, 2026 while those born on March 5, 1961 will reach State Pension age of 67 on February 5, 2028. You can check your own State Pension age online here. It's important to be aware of these upcoming changes now, especially if you have a retirement plan in place. Everyone affected by changes to their State Pension age will receive a letter from the DWP well in advance. The Pensions Act 2014 provides for a regular review of the State Pension age, at least once every five years. The review will be based around the idea people should be able to spend a certain proportion of their adult life drawing a State Pension. A review of the planned rise to 68 is due before the end of this decade and had originally been scheduled by the then Conservative government to take place two years after the general election - which would have been 2026. Any review of the State Pension age will take into account life expectancy along with a range of other factors relevant to setting the State Pension age. After the review has reported, the UK Government may then choose to bring forward changes to the State Pension age. However, any proposals would have to go through Parliament before becoming law. Check your State Pension age online Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. It may be different to the age you can get a workplace or personal pension. Anyone of any age can use the online tool at to check their State Pension age, which can be an essential part of planning your retirement. You can use the State Pension age tool to check: When you will reach State Pension age Your Pension Credit qualifying age When you will be eligible for free bus travel - this is at age 60 in Scotland Check your State Pension age online here. State Pension payments 2025/26 Full New State Pension Weekly payment: £230.25 Four-weekly payment: £921 Annual amount: £11,973 Full Basic State Pension Weekly payment: £176.45 Four-weekly payment: £705.80 Annual amount: £9,175 Future State Pension increases The Labour Government has pledged to honour the Triple Lock or the duration of its term and the latest predictions show the following projected annual increases: 2025/26 - 4.1%, he forecast was 4% 2026/27 - 2.5% 2027/28 - 2.5% 2028/29 - 2.5% 2029/30 - 2.5% Recent analysis released by Royal London revealed only around half of people receiving the New State Pension last year were getting the full weekly amount - and around 150,000 were on less than £100 per week. The DWP will issue letters to all 12.9m State Pensioners in March telling them their new payment rates. This letter also encourages older people to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit. State Pension and tax The Personal Allowance will remain frozen at £12,570 over the 2025/26 financial year. The most important thing to be aware of is that people whose sole income is the State Pension will not pay income tax. However, anyone with additional income on top of their State Pension may need to pay tax. This is paid a year in arrears, so if the 2025/26 financial year's uplift takes you over the threshold, you will not receive a tax bill from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) until July 2026. How to get full New State Pension Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, the online investment platform, said: 'People typically need at least 10 qualifying years of NI (national insurance) contributions to receive any State Pension at all and at least 35 years to receive the full New State Pension - though they don't need to be consecutive years. 'Plugging gaps can be quite an expensive process, so it is important to assess whether you actually need to buy back any missing years. This will depend on how many more years you plan to work, and whether you are eligible for NI tax credits, which fill the gaps, such as those who have been sick, were unemployed or took time out to raise a family or care for elderly relations. 'Plugging gaps in your record is relatively straightforward since the Government rolled out its new NI payments services in April last year - a State Pension forecast tool that has been checked by 3.7m since its launch.' She continued: 'People simply need to log into their personal tax account or the HMRC app to not only view any payment gaps but also check if they can plug those gaps directly through the UK Government's digital channels. 'A short survey assesses the person's suitability to pay online with those eligible to pay directly given a series of options to plug any gaps depending on when someone wants to stop working. 'Calculating whether to top up can be confusing though and ultimately there is no point paying for more years than you need because you won't get that money back.' Ms Haine added: 'People who might need to top up include those that took a career break as well as low earners or expatriates living and working abroad."
