MORAY WOMEN ARE amongst thousands around the country who have helped the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign to fund a legal challenge.
Campaign leaders are expressing their delight that their Crowdfunding campaign has smashed through its initial targets to reach £100,000 – now that will be used to fund a legal challenge to the UK Government.
WASPI was formed to protest the method used by the UK Government in changing the pension age for women, saying that it has left many struggling as many born after 1951 found themselves having their retirement delayed by up to six years. Campaigners insist that insufficient time and information was given – and in many cases information on the changes was never provided.
Jane Cowley, who is fundraising director for the national campaign, said that they were delighted at what they believe to be one of the fastest-growing ‘Crowdjustice’ appeals ever made: “Our first target of £50,000 was reached in a day, the stretch target of £75,000 a week or so later and with 10 days of fundraising still to run, WASPI have now asked Crowdjustice to close the appeal as it has reached £100,000.
“Women Against State Pension Inequality Ltd want to thank each and every person who has donated to the fund. It’s inspiring to know that we have such a huge level of support and it is a real validation of our decision to pursue a legal case.
“The campaign now plans to use the funding to pursue one or more legal challenges to the government. We have identified two potential means of legal redress for women affected by the changes to the State Pension Age.
“These are a judicial review challenge (or challenges) to the legality of the changes themselves and maladministration complaints regarding the wholly inadequate engagement undertaken by the Department of Work and Pensions regarding these changes.”
In Moray, WASP co-ordinator Sheila Forbes welcomed the news, saying: “Many Moray women and men have joined the 4500 people contributing to this Crowdjustice appeal. Justice is exactly what we want, we’ve been unfairly treated in the implementation of pension age changes, so are delighted to see the legal challenge being launched.”
For further information visit www.waspi.co.uk or contact moraywaspis@gmail.com.