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<p>For people who cannot work, the welfare system will continue to provide a safety-net,
as it does for people of all ages now. We will spend around £55 billion this year
(2019/20) on benefits to support disabled people and people with health conditions.
This is around 2.5 per cent of GDP, and over 6 per cent of government spending, and
as a share of GDP, the UK’s public spending is second highest in the G7 [OECD 2015
data].</p><p> </p><p>The new State Pension is actually more generous for many women,
who often did less well in the past. Women who reached State Pension age in 2016 are
estimated to receive more State Pension on average over their lifetime than women
ever have before. By 2030, over 3 million women stand to gain an average of £550 more
per year as a result of the recent reforms.</p><p> </p><p>There are now 5 million
women aged 50 and over in the workforce compared to 4.2 million five years ago. This
is a record high.</p><p> </p><p>This Government is committed to improving the outlook
for older workers, including women, affected by increases in the State Pension age,
and removing the barriers they may face. We have removed the default retirement age,
meaning most people can choose when to retire, and extended the right to flexible
working.</p><p> </p><p>To support people with their future planning, DWP launched
an online web page in February this year which brings together money, job and health
elements of the mid-life MOT: <a href="https://www.yourpension.gov.uk/mid-life-mot/"
target="_blank">https://www.yourpension.gov.uk/mid-life-mot/</a></p><p> </p><p>To
support employers, Business in The Community has also created MOT guides that support
business. <a href="https://age.bitc.org.uk/tools-impact-stories/toolkits" target="_blank">https://age.bitc.org.uk/tools-impact-stories/toolkits</a></p>
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