Solent Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) Supporters’ Group held a day of action on the Isle of Wight last Friday (8th September) with great success.
Members met with some of the 10,000 Island women who have had their state pension age (SPA) increased – some not once but twice – in recent years.
The Solent group is part of the national WASPI movement which is campaigning for fair transitional payments (or compensation) for women born in the 1950s who have been adversely affected by SPA legislative changes in 1995 and 2011. WASPI does not want the SPA for women to revert to 60 but takes issue with the lack of direct communication that women received about the changes, leaving 1950s women little or no time to prepare for a later SPA.
Members of the Solent group also met with the Island’s MP Bob Seely in Cowes. After hearing their personal stories, Bob promised to find out more about 1950s women’s pension injustice. He agreed to speak to fellow Conservative MP Tim Loughton, a key figure in the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) supporting WASPI women. Solent WASPIs say they are pleased Bob is taking an interest in the campaign and they hope he will take decisive action to support their fight for justice.
After meeting Bob Seely, members of the Solent group in Cowes talked to many local residents and holiday makers about the WASPI cause. The majority were sympathetic and fully supported the campaign.
Group Joint Co-ordinators, Shelagh Simmons and Carolyne Jacobs, commented:
“There are 10,000 women on the Island who have been affected by the SPA changes, so we were delighted with the positive response we received from locals. We were also delighted to bring this matter to the attention of visitors to the Island.
“We found that many women were angry and upset about the way they’ve been treated, and were pleased to hear about the WASPI campaign. They were keen to find out more and promised to spread the word amongst their friends.
Article continues below this advertisement “The situation on the Island mirrors the plight of 1950s women throughout the country. Some Island women are in poor health and worried about how they can keep working for longer; others have been forced to try and go back to work but can’t find suitable jobs. We spoke to men who feel strongly about the issue too because they see how it has affected their partners and their household income. Many people appreciate the efforts of the WASPI women and urged us to continue with our campaign.”
Given the level of interest sparked, the Co-ordinators of the Solent group will be working with Island women to start a separate Island WASPI group.
Shelagh and Carolyne pointed out:
“The Isle of Wight Council was the first in our region to approve a motion supporting WASPI. Proposed by Councillor Geoff Brodie, it was unanimously approved, so it’s appropriate that the Island should have its own WASPI group.”
If you would like to join the Solent WASPI group, or to find out more, email [email protected].
