Her solution? Giving former public sector workers with less than two years of established pension rights the ability to immediately access 75% of their fund as a lump-sum.

She further suggested a staggered expansion of the proposed scheme. If the initial programme proved successful, it could be extended to those who had four years of service, then six years, and then eight years, finishing at ten years by the end of the Parliament.

Ms Thornberry stated that the scheme should be tax-neutral and provide no tax advantage. She acknowledged that although it would prove relatively costly in the short-term, it would make economic sense in the long-run.

Such a scheme may make economic sense for a future government, but if it were to be taken up, recipients of the potentially only small to medium pension pots would need pensions advice in order to make the right choices in respect of their savings.

There is an obvious danger that offering lump sum payouts may see that money removed from individual retirement strategies and this could deplete retirement income in the future.

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* https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/opinion/house-commons/109907/emily-thornberry-mp-government Accessed 21-02-20