WASPI
Supporting the fight against Women's State Pension Inequality
WOMEN AGAINST STATE PENSION INEQUALITY (WASPI) IS A CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE WAY IN WHICH THE STATE PENSION AGE FOR MEN AND WOMEN WAS EQUALISED.
SIR PETER HAS CAMPAIGNED ALONGSIDE LOCAL AND NATIONAL CAMPAIGNING GROUPS TO SUPPORT GREATER RECOGNITION OF THE ISSUES FACED BY WOMEN CAUGHT BETWEEN THE EQUALISATION AGE BRACKETS.
April 2023
Parliament Demonstration
I was pleased to reaffirm my ongoing support for the WASPI campaign and 1950s/60s women at their rally outside Parliament yesterday on International Womens Day.
They continue to make a strong and clear case against state pension inequality and the gap between retirement and pension that has caused so many to suffer because of inadequate communication.
Some have estimated that they will have lost upwards of £50,000 from their pension as a result.
Many women only received communication a few years before they were expecting to retire - some received none.
We are united in a desire for pension equality and share a concern for the means by which that is reached.
It is unfair for individuals to have been left out of pocket at such an important transitional moment in their life.
I support their calls for more significant support and scrutiny of the factors that have led to this unjust situation.
March 2020
Hosting Campaigners in Parliament
I was pleased to host champions from the WASPI - Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign in Parliament last week.
They have made a strong case against state pension inequality and the gap. Many are suffering because of inadequate communication and some will lose up to £50,000 as a result. Many women only received communication a few years before they were expecting to retire - some received none.
They have made clear the injustice faced by many in the means by which the state pension has been equalised between men and women. We are united in a desire for pension equality and sharing a concern for the means by which that is effected.
It is unfair for individuals to have been left out of pocket. I support their calls for greater support and scrutiny of the factors that have led to this unjust situation.
The event was intended to make the case to fellow colleagues, new and old, and to bring these injustices to the attention of the new Chancellor ahead of tomorrow's budget.
October 2019
The Ongoing Campaign
Alongside my colleagues, I remain fully committed to achieving justice and I echo the views expressed by the co-chairs of the APPG outlined in the attached statement.
Today's judgement is but one event in a long campaign for justice and equality.
It is important not to be put off or deterred from pursuing this issue as a result of this setback and continue working.
For ease of understanding, below is a link to a recent BBC News article that explains what the court has decided and why: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-49917315
November 2018
The Ongoing Campaign
Changes that came in a number of years ago have a severe impact on some women born in the 1950s as their pensionable ages rise from 60 to 66. It is estimated that up to one million women will be affected by these changes.
Curiously, the recommendation to bring women into voting, some years before they could vote at the same age as men, was associated with voting registration for servicemen under the age of 21.
Many women are now coming up to what they thought would be their retirement age, only to find out that they will be required to work another six years with no additional support from the Government.
I am proud to support the WASPI - Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign, taking their concerns to the Government and ensuring that my colleauges are aware of the facts behind the issue.
The WASPI women have been incredibly active over the past year in bringing this issue to Parliament. Whether it be attending their October rally in Parliament Square or meeting with Worthing's local group in April, I have seen first hand the ardor and dedication behind this campaign.
There’s a strong view in Parliament that something more needs to be done. The number of supporters increases - the campaign continues.
With Tim Loughton MP, I continue to support the WASPI campaign.
There is more thinking and work to be done, though we can note progress.
