Ben Lake, MP for Ceredigion, has written again to the Chancellor supporting calls for 1950s women to have early access to their pensions and pension credit in advance of the Chancellor’s planned speech on the economy in early July.
In a second letter to Rishi Sunak Mr Lake asks for support for the thousands of WASPI (Women Against State Pension Injustice) women in Ceredigion and the 3.8 million 1950s women UK-wide, who have been severely affected not only by the current COVID-19 crisis but also by the rise in their State Pension Age.
“The coronavirus outbreak is having a disproportionate impact on 1950s-born women who are already suffering severe hardship, and now find themselves in an even more challenging position”, said Mr Lake. “Many 1950s women are working through financial necessity rather than choice, often in jobs they struggle to do.
“Making State Pension and Pension Credit available now to 1950s women would free up the jobs they occupy and allow the younger generation and the unemployed to enter the workplace rather than claiming welfare benefits. Furthermore, allowing 1950s women to access their State Pension would also release them to help with the childcare of their grandchildren, allowing parents to go back to work."
Pamela Judge from Ceredigion WASPI added:
“We thank Ben for continuing to press our cause with the government. It is very disappointing that the Chancellor didn’t reply to his letter in April. Let’s hope he pays attention now and adopts these practical measures to help get the economy back on its feet.”