Standing with WASPI Women

Earlier this week, I attended a WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) drop-in at the House of Commons. It was a privilege to meet campaigners from across the country and to hear directly from women whose lives have been turned upside down by unfair changes to the state pension age.

Here in Newbury alone, over 5,200 women are affected. Many received little or no notice of the changes, leaving them unable to plan for retirement. Some have had to keep working for years longer than expected, while others have faced real financial hardship and uncertainty about their future.

These women were wronged through no fault of their own, and they deserve justice.

The Liberal Democrats have long supported the WASPI campaign, and I was proud to reaffirm my commitment to these women in Parliament this week. I spoke with campaigners about their experiences and about the need for fair and timely compensation for all those affected.

With a High Court hearing coming up in December, this is a crucial moment for Ministers to do the right thing. The Government has delayed justice for far too long. The 1950s-born women affected by these changes have waited long enough.

I’ll keep pressing the Government to act and working alongside campaigners to make sure their voices are heard at every level of government.