Southport women impacted by pension age increase need fair payouts quickly - Erin Harvey, Southport Lib Dems

Posted on: 26/03/2024 10:20

Southport Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Erin Harvey is calling for local women who missed out on pension payments to be paid what they are owed after following the publication of a report last week.

The report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman released last week was damning about the role of the Department of Work & Pensions. The Department has been criticised for not keeping women born in the 1950s up to date with the changes which meant many women were left unaware and had to delay their retirement or were left struggling financially. Many of those affected came together to campaign under the name of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI). The report suggests that impacted women should be given payouts of between £1000 and £2,950.

Erin Harvey commented, "so many women have been fighting for years for recognition and compensation. While many must feel vindicated by the report's findings there is clearly a long road ahead to secure what they deserve. The DWP has said it won't comply with the Ombundsman's suggested payout and many women also feel that even the level proposed in the report isn't adequate.

"This is a scandal on a national level and many women in Southport have been impacted. The government needs to step in with a plan to get the women the compensation they are owed. The Lib Dems have long supported this campaign and this report needs to act as the urgent catalyst to get justice."

Lib Dem Councillor for Ainsdale, Lynne Thompson added: " Like many WASPI women I started work at 15 with a short time out to look after my children. When I started work retirement age for women was set at 60.The subsequent increases (65 then 66)created difficulties for many women.

"I agree with the equalisation of retirement ages. However the changes came too fast with poor communication. It's a clear case of maladministration which left a significant number of women disadvantaged with little time to prepare for retirement. It is only right and just the Government offer some form of recompense."