Barrow's MP has been criticised by the Labour Party for voting against restoring pension entitlements to women born in the '50s and '60s.

However, Simon Fell, the Conservative MP for Barrow and Furness, has rejected the claim made by the Barrow Labour Party on social media that his vote against Labour amendments to the Brexit Bill is a vote against WASPI women.

WASPI, or Women Against State Pension Inequality, is a campaign for women affected by government changes to the age at which women can draw their pension. Almost four million women have been affected by the changes, which increased the state pension age from 60 to 66.

The women say they have lost up to six years of their state pension with little or no notice due to the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011.

A Labour amendment to the Brexit Bill, requesting the WASPI women’s pensions are restored, was turned down by the Tory government, with Mr Fell voting with his party.

On social media, the Barrow Labour Party said Mr Fell's vote was "another vote against the people of Furness, especially the 4000 WASPI women in our constituency." Mr Fell said the Labour Party and SNP attached ‘wrecking amendments’ to the Brexit Bill.

He said: “We voted them down as these issues have nothing to do with the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and getting Brexit done. It’s also worth noting that the Labour Party voted against leaving the EU with every vote.

“I’ve backed WASPI’s campaign since 2015 and have joined the group in parliament that’s working towards a solution for 1950s women.”

Cath Williams, co-founder of Barrow WASPI, said she does not believe the Tories are taking the campaign seriously.

She said: “Boris Johnson did say in the election that he would look into matter but when later asked again, he said it wouldn’t be possible. Labour cost it up properly and said it could afford it so we were hoping for that to happen.”

Despite the lack of support from the Prime Minister, Mrs Williams said Barrow MP Simon Fell has been ‘supportive’ of the group’s plight.

She said: “Simon Fell has shown his support of the campaign. He said he will join the new all-party parliamentary group and help boost our campaign.”

Despite losing their landmark High Court fight against pension changes in October last year, Mrs Williams said the group will always remain hopeful: "We were granted approval to appeal the decision which has filled us with hope. I will never give up fighting until the day I die.This is a huge issue which deserves justice.”