I am proud to have been a longstanding supporter of the WASPI - Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign, taking their concerns to the Government and ensuring that our colleagues have been fully aware of the facts behind the issue.
On behalf of Tim Loughton MP and myself, I raised this on Thursday at Business Questions to the Leader of the House. We welcomed this important remedy to the issue faced by so many innocent women in Worthing, in Arun and across the UK.
Constituents in Worthing West will have seen the issue resurface in the news over recent days. Changes that came in a number of years ago have had a severe impact on some women born in the 1950s as their pensionable ages rose from 60 to 66. It is estimated that up to one million women will be affected by these changes with many living here in Worthing West.
There has been a growing agreement in Parliament that more needs to be done. An ombudsman last week recommended that the women receive an apology and pay-outs of between £1,000 and £2,950. Colleagues and campaigners welcomed this news.
If it is necessary, I will welcome a debate where the feeling of the House can be made clear to the Government. A vote will give a definitive assurance to the Secretary of State that these women deserve justice.
