1950s and WASPI women march on Senedd to deliver justice plea

The rally at the Senedd was jointly hosted by Rhys Ab Owen, Plaid Cymru SM and the 1950s Women of Wales. The WASPI women and their supporters are asking the counsel general, Mick Antoniw, to do more ‘legally’, to resolve their fight for justice.

Local Organiser, Jackie Gilderdale said: “Under Section 49 under the Government of Wales Act 2006, we feel that the Counsel General should on behalf of the Welsh Government and in the public interest, in this case the 200,000 1950s women in Wales, legally approach the UK Government to agree a fair and fast compensatory solution for all 1950s women as a matter of urgency.

“More than 20,000 1950s women die each year. before they receive the state pension and this includes 1950s women from the two Pembrokeshire constituencies who have faced tremendous hardship, because they were too ill to carry on working until age 66. We will not forget these women and will continue to be a voice for them, as well as ourselves.”

Campaigners said they were ‘bitterly disappointed’ that Simon Hart, secretary of state for Wales and his office failed to respond to the invitation he was sent to attend the event. They added that his office went into ‘lockdown’ as the campaigners approached to deliver a letter demanding the he lobbies his own party on behalf of them, for a fair and fast compensatory solution. “As part of the Pension Partners for Justice Network, we are working across political parties in relation to the fight for state pension justice,” said Jackie.

“Following vindication by the Public and Health Services Ombudsman in July an immediate solution is needed.

“We realise the Ombudsman has no power to refund lost pensions or pay damages, but it can recommend the government give the women compensation for the injustice these women have suffered and after today, we do expect the Senedd counsel general and the secretary of state for Wales to challenge the UK Government, for an immediate solution."