April hearing for ex-pat pensioner

A case being brought by a South African pensioner against the UK government will take place on 15 and 16 April 2002 at the High Court in London.

Anette Carson, 60, is using the Human Rights Act to sue the UK government over its "frozen pensions" policy.

Ms Carson is seeking to overturn the policy that means in about 150 countries, British expatriate pensioners do not see their pensions increase in line with rises in Britain.

The action is being supported by South African, Canadian and Australian overseas pensioners' associations.

The case could have repercussions for about 440,000 other pensioners, many in Commonwealth countries, who have had their pensions frozen.

A number of National Insurance tribunal cases have been delayed, pending the outcome of the case.