Suffolk WASPIs have said they are disappointed in the government’s lack of action over their compensation – but are determined to keep fighting to the bitter end.
WASPIs from Suffolk travelled to London on Thursday, as MPs debated the issue of compensation in the House of Commons.
In March, victory for WASPI seemed inevitable after the publication of a long-awaited report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). This followed a 67-month investigation into the injustice suffered by women born in the 1950s.
Women born between 1950 and 1960 were affected when the government raised the state pension age for women born on or after April 6, 1950, from 60 to 65, and then to 66, bringing it in line with men.
However, the Department for Works and Pensions did not inform women of this change.
They were notified in April 2009, when they could have been contacted in December 2006 – at the “very last possible moment”, said Patricia Gibson, SNP representing North Ayrshire and Arran, who secured Thursday’s debate.
The report found that 1950s born women experienced a significant and/or lasting impact which is level four on the scale, which is between £1,000 and £2,950.
Recent data showed that as many as 50,000 women in our county could be owed compensation.
The Ombudsman has commented that it is “extremely rare” for organisations the PSHO investigates not to accept and act on its recommendation.
However, the PSHO has no legal powers to enforce compliance, and so far, no progress has been made.
One of the MPs to address the house was Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney, who said that the PSHO has “asked parliament to intervene to agree a mechanism for remedy and to hold the government to account”.
“For approximately eight years, as regular as clockwork, constituents have been highlighting to me the enormous challenges and hardships they have faced and endured,” he said.
It is WASPIs hope that the issue will be resolved before government breaks for summer recess at the end of July – but this is looking less likely as time goes on.
In the public gallery were Karen Sheldon and Judi Moss, campaigners from Suffolk.
Mrs Sheldon said that while it was “tremendous” that MPs across all parties expressed their support for WASPI, it is frustrating that no action is being taken to award women the compensation they are owed.
“It was so disappointing to hear the usual rhetoric and procrastination from the government, using the same excuses that they need to give it serious consideration – when it has already been looked into by the ombudsman,” Mrs Sheldon said.
“As a woman, I feel disempowered by the government. It is disenfranchising to believe in the government when it is apparent they are dragging their heels.”
However, she said that WASPI is determined to fight this last battle through to the end.
“We are a tough cohort of women,” she said. “We’ve got this far, and we know that the mood of the house is supporting us.
“We will battle on.”
Ms Gibson told the house that WASPI members have distinguished themselves through their continued campaigning.
She continued: “They have done so in the face of extreme provocation from a government which has been tone deaf to their pleas for justice.”
She added: “Justice is too important to be denied for fear of the price tag.”
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