The Sefton Central MP and long–time backer of the “Waspi” women, who claim they have been discriminated against due to state pension changes that they learned about too late to make alternative arrangements, says the Government must take action.
The EDM calls on the Government to make payments to the women who will not retire until they 65 or 66, when they worked most of their lives believing they would retire at 60.
The EDM states: “That this House welcomes the positive interventions from many honourable Members from across the House on behalf of women born in the 1950s who have lost their pensions; welcomes the equalisation of retirement ages between women and men; recalls that women born in the 1950s were subject to discriminatory employment and pension laws; recognises that this included being excluded from some pensions schemes; recognises that this had the negative effect for them of losing the opportunity to have the same level of pension as their partner or spouse; further recognises that this has had the consequence of women in this position never being able to have equal pensions to men; further notes that this has negatively and profoundly impacted on them including increased poverty, deteriorating health and homelessness; notes that at least 3.8 million women have been impacted by the loss of their pensions from the age of 60 in three separate age hikes; and calls on the Government to enact a temporary special measure as permitted by international law to provide restitution to women born in the 1950s who have lost their pensions from the age of 60 because of the impact of the rise in retirement age.”
Women born in the 1950s have been affected by the 1995 and 2011 Pensions Acts. The 1995 Act legislated to equalise the state pension age, making it 66 for both men and women at a future date. The 2011 Act had the effect of bringing in the changes at a quicker pace.
On November 6 last year, men and women’s state pension ages were equalised at 65. The state pension age will be 66 by October this year
Activists argue that the women who have been affected, those born in the 1950s, have not had equality in other areas of life as they have been more likely than men to work part-time or work in lower paid jobs.
Many now find it hard to stay in the workforce until 66 or to find work in their 60s. Many are caring for elderly relatives or helping with grandchildren.
Mr Esterson said: “I have supported the Waspi campaign for many years. After the 1995 Act the Government says it wrote to women to inform them that the pension age was changing, but many women did not receive a letter. They continued in employment expecting to retire at the age of 60 as those born just five years before had been able to.
“Many have been left destitute due to having to wait another six years for their state pension.
“The Government has ignored these women yet they continue to conduct their campaign with fairness and dignity.
“I will continue to show these women my support and be a voice for them in Parliament and I had no hesitation in signing this EDM.”
It the 2019 general election, Labour promised women born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1955 £100 for each week of pension entitlement lost, if they won the election.
Those born between 6 April 1955 and 6 April 1960 would have received smaller amounts.
Mr Esterson said: “The Conservatives won the election and have not made any arrangements to support 1950s born women who face hardship as a result of the changes to their pensions.”
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