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North-east politicians rally behind WASPI campaign

Gillian Martin MSP.
Gillian Martin MSP.

Several north-east politicians have rallied behind the WASPI campaign for a resolution to their ongoing battle for their pensions.

Aberdeen Labour councillor, Sarah Duncan, said: “There is a very compelling case for compensation for WASPI women, particularly those caught by the 2011 changes, who had already made firm plans for retirement.

“The sudden acceleration of equalisation [between men and women] in 2011 was grossly unfair to some women who were born in the mid-1950s, and who were left with no time to make other plans.

“The Government must do better with clear and timely communications about state pension entitlements.”

Aberdeen East SNP MSP, Gillian Martin, insisted it was time for a complete rethink on the existing legislation.

She added: “Many women across the UK in one particular age group are being punished by this unfair policy.

“I know of many women in my constituency who have been affected by this change and have worked hard to highlight this issue.

“Of course, we are all aware of the challenges we face as a country with an ever-growing ageing population.

“But there were many women who were simply unaware of the plans and almost half a million who had only a year’s notice to change their retirement plans.

“The UK Government should rethink this policy which punishes one particular age group.”

The SNP MP Mhairi Black has been one of the most vocal supporters of the WASPI movement.

She said: “I cannot believe that we are still debating this issue. I am absolutely scunnered with banging on about the injustice to this group of women.

“We have heard the argument from the Government that the 1995 act gave the women 15 years notice, so what is the problem?’

“Well let me say it as clear as possible: it was that nobody knew about these changes. The first letters weren’t sent out until 2009, all of 14 years later.

“That is 14 years where consecutive governments sat on their backside and did nothing and are now complaining that women are – quite rightly – angry they knew nothing about these changes.”