UK ex-pats have been caught in a pensions freeze, thanks to a denial by the government over entitlements to thousands of British men and women who paid into the system all their working lives.

While the British government has refused to recognise the needs of thousands of aging pensioners now living in other countries, the expats have been encouraged by the granting of an appeal against the freezing of their pensions.

A court ruling from the European Court of Human Rights is about to decide whether they should receive increases.

Pensioners who moved to countries such as Australia and Canada currently receive the level of pension paid at retirement, which might be only £6 per week.

Others who went to countries with a reciprocal arrangements, such as in the European Union or the United States receive pension increases.

The current basic state pension is £95.25 per week.