1950s women pension campaigners in Ceredigion have thanked their MP Ben Lake for taking part in a Drop-In information session for new MPs held at Westminster on 11 September.
On 21 March the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman published his final report into changes to women’s state pension age.
It announced that the Department for Work and Pensions was guilty of maladministration because it failed to provide proper information to 1950s women about delays to their State Pension age; that the women involved suffered injustice as a result; and that they should receive compensation.
"Ben takes every opportunity to promote the WASPI cause in Parliament to support the 1950s women in his constituency,” said Pamela Judge, Joint Co-ordinator of Ceredigion Preseli WASPI.
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"He has been a long-standing supporter of our campaign. We were grateful for his input to our session for new MPs. I know he will do all he can to see that we get the compensation we are owed as recommended by the Ombudsman.”
Hilary Simpson, WASPI National Chair, added: "The Drop-In session was a resounding success, with a record number of MPs attending. We were delighted to be able to speak to them individually, answer their questions and make sure they are fully aware of the need for progress to be made on compensation as quickly as possible following the publication of the Ombudsman’s report almost six months ago.”
Ben Lake added: "I was pleased to attend the recent Drop-In session in Parliament, and it was encouraging to see so many MPs present.
“The strong turnout underscores just how important this campaign is, especially as it has been dragging on for far too many years.
“I’ve been campaigning for justice for 1950s-born women affected by the changes to state pension age for a long time, and I firmly believe they deserve the fairness and recognition they’ve been denied. Seeing so much support gives me hope that we are moving closer to some sort of resolution and I will certainly continue to make the case for it."
WASPI representatives recently met with Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds to discuss their case.