The WASPI campaign was set up in response to the Government’s proposed changes to the state pension age for women. Because of those changes, many women born in the 1950s will find themselves significantly worse off unless transitional arrangements are put in place to support them.

Until last year, many of these women thought they were on the brink of retirement. After decades of working, some only found out a few months before they turned 60 that they would have to wait an additional five years before they could claim their state pension.

Whilst the equalisation of the pension age is the right thing to do, the Government has handled this situation very badly. I have met several times with the WASPI Barnsley group to hear about how these changes are affecting them. They all feel that after a lifetime of hard work, they are being abandoned by the Government.

I will continue to urge the Government to introduce transitional arrangements to support the women affected. They should urgently look at the impact these changes are already having and listen to the women who are worried about how they are going to make ends meet.