Issue - meetings

To consider the Motion submitted by Councillor B. McCann

It was moved by Councillor McCann, seconded by Councillor Bennett:

Women Against State Pension Inequality

This Council:

Reaffirms its support for the organisation Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) and the campaign to seek recompense for those women, and their families, affected by there not being enough time to make alternative plans to protect their income.

Supports the WASPI campaign to complain to the Department for Work and Pensions as described on their website.

Believes that the Government should review the effect of the Pension Acts of 1995 and 2011 on women born on or after 6 April 1957, and whose pension has been unfairly curtailed by the affects of those Acts.

Believes that the Government should provide a fair transition for women affected by the Acts.

Recognises the need for a non-means tested bridging pension that will secure the financial stability of those affected by the 1995 and 2011 Pension Acts and compensation for those at risk of losing in the region of £45,000.

Calls on the Government to bring forward transitional arrangements to provide pension certainty for the women disproportionately affected by this system.

Calls on the Chief Executive of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions requesting that the aforementioned effects on women be addressed, and object to the suggestion that women affected negatively by the Acts should seek out an apprenticeship.

Following debate and on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Motion was carried by 51 votes to 4 abstentions and it was

RESOLVED:

That the Motion be approved as follows:

 This Council:

Reaffirms its support for the organisation Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) and the campaign to seek recompense for those women, and their families, affected by there not being enough time to make alternative plans to protect their income.

Supports the WASPI campaign to complain to the Department for Work and Pensions as described on their website.

Believes that the Government should review the effect of the Pension Acts of 1995 and 2011 on women born on or after 6 April 1957, and whose pension has been unfairly curtailed by the affects of those Acts.

Believes that the Government should provide a fair transition for women affected by the Acts.

Recognises the need for a non-means tested bridging pension that will secure the financial stability of those affected by the 1995 and 2011 Pension Acts and compensation for those at risk of losing in the region of £45,000.

Calls on the Government to bring forward transitional arrangements to provide pension certainty for the women disproportionately affected by this system.

Calls on the Chief Executive of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions requesting that the aforementioned effects on women be addressed, and object to the suggestion that women affected negatively by the Acts should seek out an apprenticeship.