Local MP Martin Docherty-Hughes has reaffirmed his commitment to the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign.
The MP for West Dunbartonshire is backing an SNP-led Bill in the House of Commons, calling on the UK government to introduce a compensation scheme for women impacted by increases in the state pension age.
Across the UK, millions of women have had their state pension qualifying age changed by up to six years – with many 1950s-born women left out of pocket by tens of thousands of pounds.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is set to conclude an independent investigation into the unfair treatment of WASPI women, with a final report due to be published this year.
Local MP Martin Docherty-Hughes met this week with Liz Daly, WASPI co-ordinator for West Dunbartonshire, to discuss the next steps in the campaign to secure fast and fair compensation for 1950s-born women.
It’s estimated that in West Dunbartonshire more than 6,300 women born between 6th April 1950 and 5th April 1960 have been impacted by the UK government’s increases to state pension age.
Commenting, Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“Since being elected as an MP in 2015, I have been working alongside Liz Daly and many others in West Dunbartonshire who have been fighting tirelessly against state pension injustice.
“There are thousands of women across Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven who have been badly impacted by the UK government’s failure to treat them fairly in changes to state pension age.
“The SNP are leading calls in parliament for the UK government to deliver fair and fast compensation for all WASPI women. With the Ombudsman’s final report on its investigation into state pension inequality due to be published soon, the coming weeks are set to be crucial for the campaign.
“Westminster cannot be allowed to continue ignoring the plight of the WASPI women.
“Local campaigners like Liz are to be commended for their hard work in keeping this important issue in the public eye. They are not going away, and they have my full support as their Member of Parliament.”
