Let’s finally ease sting of WASPIs

THE way successive governments have prepared for an increasingly ageing population is a disgrace.

A disgrace because for decades they made no preparation at all.

Prime ministers have known for 50 years that the pension age would need to be raised as people lived longer and healthier lives.

They could have done that gradually. Instead, they did nothing.

And when the inevitable crisis was around the corner and action on pensions could be put off no longer, our politicians panicked.

In the chaos, some people were treated worse than others – and so it was with the WASPIs born in the 1950s.

These are the 3.8million women who expected to retire at 60 and suddenly discovered they would have to work five years longer.

In this age of equality, it is right that the pension age for men and women is the same.

But it was wrong to spring something so life-changing on the women who would most lose out without sufficient warning. They should have known 15 years earlier.

Now, Labour promises to right this wrong. As we reveal today, the WASPIs will get £100 for each week of pension lost, up to £31,300.

If Jeremy Corbyn becomes PM next month, he will go some way to compensate for the misery caused by PMs who came before him.

CHRISTMAS is a time for children – and for children with cancer Christmas should be as joyous as possible.

That’s why this year’s Sunday Mirror Christmas appeal is for charity CLIC Sargent.

It provides a home from home near the specialist centres treating children miles away from their own, so parents can be close during the most gruelling time of all their lives.

And that includes Christmas, as cancer does not take time off for the festive season.

As little as £5 can help fund vital accommodation blocks so Mum and Dad can be just across the road from their child’s ward.

And CLIC Sargent estimates it will be supporting 4,000 families next month.

So please give whatever you can for the season of goodwill. We can all do our bit to stop cancer cancelling a child’s Christmas.

TOWIE diva Gemma Collins already has a cult following – and now she has revealed she would love to join the Illuminati.

The 18th-century secret society was banned with the encouragement of the Vatican – but conspiracy theorists think it may still exist.

However, we’re not altogether sure Gemma understands what it is.

She probably thinks it’s somewhere new to get her highlights done.