A long-standing injustice affecting nearly half a million British pensioners living overseas may finally be on the cusp of change. Campaigners representing expat State Pensioners are pinning their hopes on the recent election of Mark Carney as Prime Minister of Canada to help bring an end to the controversial ‘frozen pensions’ policy—a decades-old issue leaving elderly Brits abroad without annual pension increases.
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The Reality of ‘Frozen Pensions’: An Unequal System
Under current UK legislation, 453,000 pensioners residing in countries without reciprocal agreements—including Canada, Australia, and several other Commonwealth nations—do not receive the annual State Pension uprating that residents in the UK or EU enjoy.
This means that pensioners who have spent their lives working in the UK are penalised simply for choosing to spend their retirement abroad. The issue becomes glaring when compared to pensioners living in the US or EU countries who continue to receive the Triple Lock uprating every April, keeping their pensions in line with inflation and wage growth.
As of April 7, 2025:
- The full New State Pension has risen by 4.1% to £230.25 per week (£921 per month).
- The full Basic State Pension is now £176.45 per week (£705.80 per month).
But for those affected by the freeze? Their payments remain stuck at the rate they were first paid when they retired or moved abroad—some for decades.
Mark Carney: A Unique Opportunity for Diplomatic Change
Campaigners from the End Frozen Pensions campaign believe Mark Carney’s personal and professional ties to the UK make him uniquely placed to push this issue forward.
Having served as Governor of the Bank of England, Carney is expected to qualify for a UK State Pension himself. Yet, as a resident of Canada, he would also face the very same pension freeze—albeit with significantly less personal financial impact.
“We don’t imagine for a moment that Mr Carney will be reliant on whatever UK State Pension he might be entitled to,” said Edwina Melville-Grey, Chair of End Frozen Pensions Canada. “But we know for sure that many thousands of UK pensioners living in affected countries, including Canada, see their pension as a vital lifeline.”
A Century of Waiting: The Face of the Fight
The campaign’s most recognisable voice is Anne Puckridge, a 100-year-old WWII veteran who served in all three branches of the UK armed forces. Having moved to Canada at age 76, Anne now receives just £72.50 per week—less than half of what she would be entitled to had she stayed in the UK.
Anne flew to the UK in December 2024, hoping to meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, but her request was declined. Her message to politicians is simple: “This is not charity—it’s our right.”
Many others are in worse positions, with half of frozen pensioners receiving £65 a week or less, and some surviving on as little as £20.
Campaigners Urge UK Government to Act
John Duguid, Chair of End Frozen Pensions International, sees Mark Carney’s leadership in Canada as a potential turning point.
“The political climate is ripe for progress. Canada’s new government and the UK’s renewed interest in global trade offer a rare window to address this injustice diplomatically,” he said.
The International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP) estimates that unfreezing pensions would cost just £50 million—a tiny fraction (1.3%) of the UK Government’s total annual pension expenditure.
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Will the Labour Government Deliver?
While Labour has pledged to maintain the Triple Lock, there’s no indication yet that it intends to extend uprating eligibility to frozen pensioners. Forecasts suggest future annual pension increases will remain modest, with 2.5% growth predicted from 2026 through 2030.
Yet, even as the State Pension sees steady rises, millions of pensioners—especially those abroad—won’t benefit without decisive action.
🔎 Quick Snapshot: 2025/26 UK State Pension Rates
New State Pension
- Weekly: £230.25
- Monthly: £921
- Annual: £11,973
Basic State Pension
- Weekly: £176.45
- Monthly: £705.80
- Annual: £9,175