A CITY MP says the delay of state pension payments to 11,000 women in Coventry is one of the ‘greatest injustices’ he has witnessed.
Coventry South MP Jim Cunningham raised the plight of women affected by the rising state pension age at a debate in the House of Commons yesterday (Thursday, June 28).
The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign group wants compensation for thousands of women who have been deprived of their state pensions as a result of the state pension age rising to 65 this year.
WASPI claims more than three million women who stopped work at 60 were not given adequate notice that the retirement age had raised.
It is calling for pension relief payments for women affected – those born on or after April 6, 1951.
Mr Cunningham said: “The decision to raise the state pension age and the inequality for the 11,000 WASPI women in Coventry and those around the country is one of the greatest injustices I have witnessed.
“I receive many messages from constituents related to the WASPI campaign, and know it is a matter close to many.
“Without adequate notice, many of these women have been left in a difficult financial position that they had not planned for.
“I will continue to use my voice in Parliament to make sure that this campaign continues and that the government are forced to respond.”
The WASPI group has raised over £100,000 for legal advice as it seeks to make a maladministration claim against the government’s Department for Work and Pensions.
Cheryl Sloan of Coventry WASPI said: “This effects just over 11,000 women in Coventry alone and 35,000 in Warwickshire. It has had a devastating impact on all concerned.
“We have lost on average £40,000 each at a time in our life when we have no chance to accumulate further funds.
“Many women who do not have a partner are destitute and living from hand to mouth.
“Some are homeless and living in cars or friends’ sheds.
“The only option is to claim job seekers’ allowance, which is so degrading when we have worked all our lives and paid our dues.
“But we still have to suffer the further indignity of signing on and the appalling regime that goes along with it.”
Cheryl said she was glad to have support from Coventry’s MPs and Coventry City Council.
