Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) campaigners in Salford believe that their campaign has reached an important milestone. Emma Reynolds, the Under-Secretary of State for Pensions, has agreed to meet WASPI representatives next month.
“For the first time there will be a face-to-face meeting with a Minister,” said Judith Robertson, Co-Ordinator of Salford WASPI.
On 21st March the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman published his final report. It announced that the Department for Work and Pensions was guilty of maladministration because it failed to provide proper information to 1950s women about delays to their State Pension age; that the women involved suffered injustice as a result; and that they should receive compensation.
“Injustice has been proven and we are due compensation,” added Mrs Robertson. “The Government must understand the urgency of this matter. One 1950s woman dies every 13 minutes so we need the compensation scheme now. There is no time to lose.”
“We are grateful to our MP Rebecca Long Bailey who spoke in Parliament calling for a compensation scheme to be set up after meeting 1950s women constituents.”
Rebecca said, speaking on That’s TV News “It is not up to Parliament to decide whether these women suffered injustice as the Parliamentary Ombudsman has already confirmed that in their report of March 2024. I hope to see something soon from the government to provide fair, fast simple redress for these women, and an apology from DWP”.
Photo caption- Salford WASPI coordinator, Judith Robertson with MP, Rebecca Long Bailey, discussing compensation for 1950s women.”
