Paula Sherriff, MP for Dewsbury and Mirfield, questioned the Government this week on behalf of Women born in the 1950s affected by changes to the State Pension Age.

The Government has imposed changes which may add 4-5 years to the working lives of these women, with little or no notification. Many are now facing financial hardship.

Ms Sherriff quizzed the DWP Minister Shailesh Vara on this in Parliament yesterday, asking if transitional protection will be introduced for women affected by changes to the state pension age.

Commenting on this, Ms Sherriff said; ‘Over 4000 women in my constituency have had their pension age accelerated and were not given proper notice. These local women have been treated badly by the Government. That’s why I am supporting the campaign by Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI).’

In 2011, when the Conservative-led Government accelerated the timetable for changes to the State Pension age for women, Iain Duncan Smith made a commitment to look at transitional provisions to help the women who have been hit hardest by the changes but he has never made good on that promise.

Ms Sherriff said; ‘Inaction is no longer an option, the Government must look again at the issue and put forward proposals to help those most in need as a matter of urgency. Local people can show their support by signing the WASPI Public Petition which I will present to Parliament.’

The paper petition can be found here and a copy is also available to sign at Paula Sherriff’s constituency office. To be accepted by Parliament, it must be completed with full name, address and postcode for each signatory and all those who sign must live in Dewsbury constituency, which encompasses Dewsbury, Mirfield, Denby Dale and Kirkburton. Completed petitions should be returned to Paula Sherriff MP, The Old Dewsbury Reporter Building, Wellington Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HQ.