Women walking in front of man with dogMore than 400,000 women on
the verge of retirement will miss out under the Government's
pensions reforms while men in the same position will still
benefit, Labour has said.  Ministers had insisted their White
Paper would help women by handing them an improved state
pension.  But shadow pensions minister Greg McClymont said that
429,000 women born between April 6, 1952, and July 6, 1953, will
miss out on the new single tier pension, while men would
controversially still be eligible.  In a question to Pensions
Minister Steve Webb in the Commons, he said: "Even at my speed
reading of today's White Paper there will be heavy losers, steep
cliff ledges and significant costs if this proposal goes ahead.
"For example, the briefing from the Government over the weekend
was at pains to emphasise the women-friendly aspect of these
measures. But can I ask you directly about the 429,000 born
between 6 April 1952 and 6 July 1953? Is it the case that these
429,000 women will not qualify