Pension age hope for 3.8m women

High Court victory joy

changes in time to adjust. Mr Mansfield told the hearing that the changes affected “a minimum of 3.8 million women”, some of whom were given as little as 18 months’ notice.

He said those affected had been left in a “powerless” position, adding: “Suddenly they have to re-train, have to find a new job.” He suggested the Government had “made it clear the real object has been cost-cutting”, not “policy principle”.

Judge Mrs Justice Lang concluded that their case was “arguable” and could proceed to a full hearing. Catherine Rayner, also representing the claimants, said the changes meant that “£5.3billion (has been) saved from women”.

She added: “Women have been put into poverty, forced on to benefits as a result of losing out on the pension which they would have relied upon.”

Julian Milford, for the Department of Work and Pensions, said the changes were designed to bring about “equalisation between genders”.

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