Over 7,000 Powys women could be affected by WASPI row

Local Liberal Democrats have claimed that thousands of Powys women could be impacted by the decision not to compensate women hit by changes to the state pension age.

Earlier this week the UK Government announced that it will not compensate WASPI women, despite previously backing their campaign when they were in opposition.

According to data from the House of Commons Library, using population estimates, it is estimated that 7,040 women in Powys could be impacted by the decision.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have criticised Labour for “betraying” these women and have called the decision “simply wrong”. 

The Welsh Lib Dems have now called on the Government to “urgently change course and rethink this shameful decision.”

Expressing her disappointment, Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds said that it “was shameful to see the Labour party backtrack yet again on another one of their promises”.

“Thousands of women here in Powys will be directly impacted by this decision, which was made with no compassion or consideration for their needs,” she said.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to these brave women, and I vow that unlike Labour we will continue to fight for the justice that they deserve.

“The people of Powys will no longer accept Labour’s broken promises of change, they deserve a party that will stick by their principles and stand up for their interests.” 

Liberal Democrats have pushed the government to fairly compensate WASPI women in line with the Ombudsman’s recommendations.