WASPI Campaign

I know that the decision to accelerate the rise in the women’s state pension age has had a devastating impact on many women who were born in the 1950s, some of whom are now facing hardship and destitution as a result.

I believe these women, who have helped to build Britain, did not have fair notification of the changes to the state pension age. This has left many women with insufficient time to make alternative retirement plans, with sometimes devastating consequences.

I recognise this injustice and I think it is unacceptable that the Government has not taken action on this
issue. I believe these women should be compensated. Indeed, the manifesto I stood on at the 2019 general election committed to work with these women to design a system of recompense for the losses and insecurity they have suffered. In addition, I oppose plans to increase the state pension age even further and
I think legislation should be introduced to prevent accrued rights to the state pension from being changed.

Thank you again for writing to me about this very important issue. I agree that more must be done to provide
these women with security and dignity in older age and I will press the Government on this at every opportunity.