With less than one week to go, the WASPI women who have campaigned tirelessly for justice have shared what they want to see from election candidates.

At last count, there were 50,000 women in our county who could be owed compensation after government mishandling of changes made to their pensions.

These are women whose voices – and votes – need to be taken into consideration by prospective candidates, say WASPI, the Women Against State Pension Inequality movement which has been fighting for compensation for almost 10 years.

East Anglian Daily Times: WASPI has been determined never to give up the fight for justice. WASPI has been determined never to give up the fight for justice. (Image: Newsquest)

Women born between 1950 and 1960 were affected when the government raised the state pension age for women born on or after April 6, 1950, from 60 to 65, and then to 66, bringing it in line with men.

However, the Department for Work and Pensions did not inform women of this change. They were notified in April 2009, when they could have been contacted in December 2006.

Suffolk WASPI coordinators Karen Sheldon (left) and Judi Moss (right) with Green party candidate for Waveney Valley, Adrian Ramsay. Suffolk WASPI coordinators Karen Sheldon (left) and Judi Moss (right) with Green party candidate for Waveney Valley, Adrian Ramsay. (Image: Karen Sheldon)

Victory seemed to be WASPIs, when a government Ombudsman found in their favour in March.

The Ombudsman said that the women experienced a significant and/or lasting impact which is level four on the scale, which is between £1,000 and £2,950. They also said that the DWP should apologise.

WASPI members with Labour candidate for South Suffolk, Emma Bishton (left). WASPI members with Labour candidate for South Suffolk, Emma Bishton (left). (Image: Karen Sheldon) WASPI campaigners with Julia Ewart, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Suffolk Coastal (right). WASPI campaigners with Julia Ewart, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Suffolk Coastal (right). (Image: Karen Sheldon)

With Prime Minister Rishi Sunak having called an election on May 22, no further progress has been made – but this does not mean that justice can be avoided, said Suffolk campaigner, Karen Sheldon.

“We haven’t gone away – we are still here, and we are still waiting for a response from government, whichever government it is that gets elected,” said Mrs Sheldon.

Labour candidate for Ipswich Jack Abbott meeting with WASPI campaigners. Labour candidate for Ipswich Jack Abbott meeting with WASPI campaigners. (Image: Karen Sheldon)

Mrs Sheldon said that members have met with candidates from all parties.

"This is an apolitical issue, just like the blood scandal or the post-office scandal," said Mrs Sheldon.

WASPI campaigners pictured with Tom Bartleet, the Liberal Democrat candidate for South Suffolk. WASPI campaigners pictured with Tom Bartleet, the Liberal Democrat candidate for South Suffolk. (Image: Karen Sheldon) Suffolk campaigners Judi Moss (left) and Karen Sheldon (right) pictured with the Labour candidate for Waveney Valley, Dr Gurpreet Padda. Suffolk campaigners Judi Moss (left) and Karen Sheldon (right) pictured with the Labour candidate for Waveney Valley, Dr Gurpreet Padda. (Image: Karen Sheldon)

Nearly every party has played some role in the pension mishandling, she said, and so every party has a duty to be a part of the solution.

To each candidate, Mrs Sheldon said that votes from women affected in our region should not be underestimated, and that the ombudsman’s findings must be upheld.

“We’re telling them, this is a huge issue and it needs to be addressed,” she said.

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