For many years, I’ve backed the ‘Waspi women’ and their calls for pension justice. I regularly meet with my local WASPI campaigners both in Jarrow and Gateshead East and in Parliament.
I have been clear in my position that the ruling of the Ombudsman should be honoured – ignoring the Ombudsman recommendations sets a dangerous precedent and will lead to others arguing they should be able to ignore judgements.
I am not U-turning on my support for WASPI women.
I will continue to support the call for compensation for the thousands of women in my constituency and those impacted across the UK.
Everyone agrees that the DWP handling of these changes left many unprepared and this injustice needs to be put right.
Whilst I understand the mess the Conservatives have left this country in and the dire financial constraints we are now dealing with because of decades of Tory mismanagement – I do not agree that women should once again be left to bear the brunt of Tory Failures.
Women are too often left to pay the price, we are the shock absorbers of poverty.
Older women are already more likely to be in poverty in later life – this decision will not help that, it should not have been made.
I will continue to campaign for justice and for fair compensation.