Today I signed the WASPI pledge

Today I signed the WASPI pledge. This follows on from motion of support taken to Full Council by Labour Councillors in Northumberland which all Labour Councillors including me supported. The Labour Party called on the Government to implement plans in the Autumn Statement, to give vulnerable women in our country some stability until their delayed state pension is available. The concession would operate for affected women up to 2022. Labour are also developing solutions for those affected who would not be entitled to means-tested Pension Credit under these proposals. It is however vital that action takes place now, to end the hardship faced by women who have worked all their lives, but find that they cannot retire as planned. Sadly the Pensions Minister has issued a point blank refusal to do anything to alleviate the worse cases – claiming that the current social security system was sufficient to meet the needs of everyone. Labour are now acting where the government has refused.