Barrow women fighting for fair treatment over state pension changes are 'hopeful but cautious' after the Government announced it would reconsider compensation for affected women.
Women Against State Pension Inequality campaigners across the UK have argued that the Government did not properly inform women born in the 1950s that there would be delays in receiving the state pension.
The group has argued that this led to women planning their finances based on incorrect understandings, which has left them having to work longer or facing financial hardship.
The decision to refuse compensation was made despite a recommendation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) the women should be paid up to £2,950 each.
Then-work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall said in December last year that the potential £10.5 billion cost could not be justified.
Waspi women have since sought a judicial review to challenge the Government’s policy.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has now said his department would review the policy, announced last year, not to compensate women born in the 1950s who were affected by the increase in the pension age.
It came as court proceedings led to the rediscovery of a 2007 Department for Work and Pensions evaluation which had led to officials stopping sending automatic pension forecast letters out.
However, Mr McFadden offered campaigners no guarantees that the review would lead to compensation being awarded.
The minister said "in the interests of fairness and transparency", the Government would reconsider its decision.
Catherine Williams, 71, is a long-standing member and spokesperson for the Barrow-in-Furness and District branch of the WASPI campaign.
She discovered shortly before turning 60 that she would have to wait until 66 to receive her state pension - a change that she says cost her around £42,000 in lost payments.
Catherine has since become an active voice for local women affected by the pension age rise, helping to keep members across Barrow and Furness connected and informed.
Speaking on behalf of the Barrow-in-Furness and District branch of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign, she said the news was 'a positive step forward” but remains cautious.
Mrs Williams said: “It’s a pleasant surprise but we have to be careful not to get our hopes up too much. Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Minister, has always been a strong supporter of WASPI, so maybe this time we might just get our justice.
Mail readers can subscribe for just £4 for four months
“The Barrow and Furness WASPI group are still very much in touch - we all keep in contact and we’re good friends. If any action was called by the main UK group, we’d be there supporting it.”
Share