Commenting on the announcement today (Tuesday) that the government is to look again at the decision not to award compensation to the ‘Waspi’ women who lost out on their state pensions, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“This offers a glimmer of hope to a generation of women, many of whom have endured financial hardship for years. The government must now follow through on its promise to act.
“It comes too late for those who’ve died after devoting their working lives to public service.
“So many women had the rug pulled from under them when the government moved the goal posts with little notice, forcing them to delay their retirement. For some that’s meant unacceptable poverty.
“What started out as an administrative error was compounded by successive governments reneging on their promises. It’s time for ministers to put things right.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union and the largest union in the NHS and in the ambulance sector, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
