Meriden MP, Dame Caroline Spelman championed the concerns of local women in Meriden constituency who are affected by the sudden changes being made to the Women’s State Pension Age in a debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday.
The local MP, who is also a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality, argued that women who were preparing for retirement – particularly those who have caring responsibilities for elderly relatives are ‘left in limbo’ as a result of the sudden changes.
Speaking in the Debate, Dame Caroline said:
‘This issue kicks in at the latter stages of a woman’s career, when her caring responsibilities can increase significantly because of elderly parents and her own health may start to deteriorate – meaning that the level of uncertainty and anxiety is greatly increased’.
‘Suddenly, the prepared-for pension does not materialise, and women with caring responsibilities are left in limbo’.
The MP, who has been working closely with WASPI in Solihull Borough recently presented a petition to the House of Commons on the changes, and met with local WASPI campaigners in Birmingham to show her support for new and improved transitional measures.