Women urged to fight pensions inequalities
FRASER WILSON
Dr Lisa Cameron has urged women affected by the increased pensions age to seek help over the inequality.
The MP has held two busy WASPI (Women Against State Pensions Inequality) events over the past six months to raise awareness of the problem and the help available.
She has also been signing off complaint forms on behalf of constituents to send to the Parliamentary Ombudsman – now she is urging those affected to get in touch to have these forms completed.
Dr Cameron told the News: “I’m pleased to have supported WASPI women across East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow but I’m aware so many are affected who have not yet come to me to sign off complaint forms for the ombudsman.
“WASPI Glasgow and Lanarkshire are providing support for this process and I would urge women affected to be in touch with them and to bring me their paperwork as soon as possible.
“We must continue to challenge the UK Government on this important pensions inequality issue.”
At the start of their last term, the UK government changed pension plans and raised the women’s qualifying age to 65 in 2018.
That was much sooner than originally planned and affects 3.8 million women across the country. In East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, that directly affects area 4370 women born in the 1950s.
That means some will lose out on tens of thousands of pounds from their savings – they will also be forced to wait an additional five to seven years for their state pension.
The MP has now written to secretary of state Dr Theresa Coffey to raise concerns and challenge the current position.
WASPI and fellow campaign group, Backto60, argue the government changes were implemented unfairly, leaving many no time to make alternative plans.
They have called for compensation for those affected. However, High Court judges earlier this month threw out claims of discrimination against affected women.
Women born in the 1950s whose pension is affected are encouraged to visit the website: www.waspiscotland.uk.
They can download the form for submitting a complaint to the Ombudsman on this website.