This weekend I had the honour of chairing a session at the Byline Festival for BackTo60 Campaigning Group in Ashdown Forest in East Sussex.
The occasion was important for giving wider publicity to a new generation how successive government’s cruel treatment of a large group of 3.8 million women who are waiting up to six years for their pension. And also to show to the young that by having guts and determination ( which the 5,000 people at Byline Fest have in droves) us oldies can also press our case home by arguing and succeeding in getting a judicial review to try and remedy this injustice.
It was also to warn them that this group will be the first of many to find themselves in a similar predicament. This is particularly so if former Department of Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith’s charity, the Centre for Social Justice, succeeds in getting the UK to have a retirement age of 75 by 2035 – giving it by then the dubious accolade of being a world leader in forcing people to work until they drop.
Amber Rudd, the current Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, says the government won’t do it, I don’t believe her. For the role of think tanks is to influence government and prepare the people for the changes they want, and this is the think tank that proposed Universal Credit, which any self respecting person will think has been an unmitigated disaster for the poor and the disabled.
The story of the pension scandal that hit the 50s born women is not a boring pensions tale. It covers Whitehall skulduggery, effectively saving £271 billion of public money by removing the Treasury contribution to the National Insurance Fund; a failure to properly communicate the change in pension age from 60 to 65 and then 66 to the people affected until it was too late for them to do anything about it.
And the revelation of the hardship, and misery it had inflicted on people driving them to despair even suicide as they haven’t the money to live on.
And finally the fake news that we are all living longer – which has hardly been the case since 2011 when it flatlined. It has only been the wealthy who are living longer, for the poor in part of the UK like Glasgow and Blackpool it has started to fall.
It also a tale of hope – of challenging the government in the courts and finding a legal mechanism – a temporary special measure – which can be used to redress this balance – thanks to the work of one of the speakers at the session, Jackie Jones, MEP for Wales and a former professor of feminist studies at the West of England University.
What was gratifying was the interest among the young and older festival goers who came to listen. They engaged with the issue, asked pertinent questions, even if some were shocked at the antiquated attitudes in the 1970s when Dr Davina Lloyd, revealed that she was banned from going to university in the 1970s because she was a married woman and was expected to stay at home. She was saved by Roy Jenkins, who went on to become home secretary, who passed a law allowing married women to train as teachers.
Members of the panel did a YouTube film with the Byline Festival after the session. It is below.
Westminster Confidential 
Amber Rudd is an out and out liar.
She should suffer like all the women who have been robbed of their pensions.
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Come on Girls
Amber Rudd is just a puppet trying to stay on office
She won’t be missing her miserly Pension
we have all paid into ours since working at 15. I am no 65 and still having to work to exist and that does not include the fact that I have to work till 67
Of note all females in my family
history did not reach 67yrs of Age !!!
So fingers crossed.
I feel so sad and disheartened that I have to work to keep living – no information or explanation given not told till I applied on reaching 60
I hate that this decision was taken without the undue stress and mental health isdues
I am spreading the word to ad many ad I can to support the team leading the campaign. And hope to god we are listened too and reimbursed for the endless drudgery of trying to make ends meet or think 4 timed before I buy anything xx
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Agree 100% never done a hard days work in her life an over paid puppet
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Thankyou everyone for the explanation as to how 1950’s can help their situation. Also the background on CEDAW
I Hv tried with my MP Nick Gibb he is now education Minister, no luck there.
But will retweet the video so others can try their MP’s
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Dear David I read your statement with interest I think your support is incredible. I am one of the 50’s ladies who has been robbed of my state pension. I do find Amber Rudd’s comments that we are living longer very patronising – my husband worked from the age of 16 for London Transport he died in 2017 aged 60 I would like to know what happened to his state pension. I do get very angry not only for myself but for all my friends who happen to be born in the 50’s and also for the 3.8 million ladies who like myself were never notified of any change. I have had a wide career but left my job when my husband became ill I have tried to get back into the workforce only to be humiliated by young Managers who do not want us oldies in the work place and have no intention of training or helping us. I have written to the Prime Minister (please see attached letter). I do hope we are successful and achieve our goal by some sort of compensation and for our pension age to be reverted back to at least 63 would be a tremendous help we have been robbed if we had invested in a private company we would be suing them by now. Thank you for taking time to read this email Regards Isabel Wassell
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Thank you for fighting for us women , I will contact my MP. Why are we not getting any TV coverage for this, they must not get away with this.
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I was born in 1955 -these last years are becoming really difficult to work a 9 hour day to get to state pension age . I have worked since I was 15 years old and have only ever had 6 months off work to care for my first child , I always had to pay for their care from my wages and could not afford to pay into a pension until I was 35 . I was divorced at 50 and even though I have been saving as hard as possible I cannot retire until I am 66 as I would need to use my savings to cover my bills . It’s time justice was carried out for my age group as we have not had the chance -like men- to save in private or company pension schemes . This is totally discriminatory against women of our age group and making our lives hell .
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You group name is irrelevant, the fact that you are #50sWomen and want full restitution of your promised pension means you should join https://t.co/zlbDaPTd22
We speak with #OneVoice the *Only Voice* with a mandate to speak for you.
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It’s time for the Judicial Review to set right this legalised robbery of our pensions, come on Judiciary bring it on, bring justice to us all.
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I’m flabbergasted at the information from Dr. Davina Jones about banning her from University.The more we read the more this backs up the need for woman of the 50’s to get what we expected at the time we expected,how on earth were we ever to make up the money we have lost.Im financially ok but only because I had a good job,however I never worked full time as I was main Carer for our children..
Thank you for all your hard work.
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I was taught by a married woman back in the 1960s so I think Davina may be confused over this
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Many of us are flabbergasted at that too! Married women were NOT banned from attending University. However their grant was based on either their parents or Spouse. Many of us are awaiting to hear the actual reason she could not go to University but banned for being a married woman is a red herring!
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I have fully supported the ‘Back to 60s campaign’ and have tried to inquire on 3 occasions our local conservative mp for Powys to sign up to it but he is so ignorant and rude that no reply at all was forthcoming.
Could you explain to me the process of the Judicial Review , it has been quite a while now since the court case took place is their a time limit to when a decision must be declared ?,does the government interfere with the decision or when the decision is released ? and can they overturn the decision should it go against the government also in general is it more likely that a positive result would be the outcome the longer it takes for the decision is made ?.
I did think last week that when the Government announced their intention of increasing the pension age to 75 they did it knowing the result was a defeat for our campaign.
Kind Regards Marilyn Vowles
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Marilyn. Very difficult to say when the judicial review will be published as judges are totally independent and it is up to them. Most likely it will be after Oct 1 when the courts are back. The government cannot interfere with the decision – but they could try and appeal it if they lose. That’s why BackTo60 looking at other routes at the same time.
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As everyone affected by the pension robbery are awaiting the result of JR and hoping the claim granted the government they will not accept defeat they will appeal against the result to delay pension payments..Fingers crossed they do the right thing we payed in they pay out
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Do you mean our last MP?
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Well done ladies for fighting the cause. I have written to my MP but no response. I am hoping that this means they are still in serious discussions. I live in the south and am totally dependent on my husband. We have downsized to a cheap terraced house and mainly renovated it with DIY. The first 3 years were not to bad but now we are eating into our limited savings which makes me feel guilty. This is now sapping any confidence that I had in myself as well as affecting our finances. It is obvious that money from National insurance has been used in areas that it was not intended and also that people are not living longer any more so I don’t see how the government can possibly say that they are in the right . As for equality. Up until now I was quite happy being a woman, having juggled childcare with a part time job, only being able to take the car for work when my husband was not working ( one car family) living for years without a telephone, relying on second hand furniture when we first got married. ( none of it coordinated) starting work at 14 in a Saturday job, no opportunity of university because I went to secondary modern school, no gap year, no free childcare. I studied whilst working and graduated at 45. I have been completely proud of my journey through life. I am so lucky to have a husband who is extremely supportive and is very proud of me but I do not feel valued by the state for all of my hard work. At the moment, I still have three years to go. I cannot imagine what state financially and emotionally I will be in by then.
I am so appreciative of everything that you are doing and hope that we get some response from parliament soon.
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I am am a moderator for #BackTo60 and I cannot thank you all enough for your continuing tireless efforts throughout this campaign!! I sat in the courtroom the whole 2 days throughout the JR and was astounded and totally in awe of the challenges our amazing QC Michael Mansfield and his legal team brought against the government… I myself am 63 years old and was recently made homeless for a period of 9 months due to private matters! I am also struggling financially and work 2 jobs to try make ends meet! Having my pension would have enabled me to find accommodation privately, instead of having to rely on friends and family for a bed for the night! I have worked since I left school at 16… often two jobs at same time… brought up 3 kids, and have never claimed benefits of any kind! Now I find myself struggling financially and emotionally and for first time in my life I am now on anti depressants!! So thank you from the bottom of my heart, from 3.9 million hearts, for supporting us all throughout this!!! Hopefully justice will be served, and we can all enjoy a little bit more “us” time in our retiring years!! God bless!
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Charlotte can I ask why you chose not to claim child benefit if you had 3 children?
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There was no law in the 1970s preventing married women training as teachers. I was taught by a married woman teacher in the early 60s.
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F ****ing fuming. I recently saw my MP Fiona Bruce (Conservative) who gave me a fair hearing and agreed that in view of Boris Johnson’s recent comments regarding ‘sorting this issue’ (also she is opposed to the vanity project HS2) this was a good time to’have another crack’ at writing to urge this to be done. She indicated writing to Amber Rudd and Boris Johnson. I had a reply yesterday from Guy Opperman which was the same regurgitation of lies re giving notice, how much it would cost, support available for older workers. .. bla bla – five pages of precious trees. Not sure what to do next, though I will be at the Media City protest on 7 September.
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I take great interest with backto60 campaign and other groups as I am affected born 1955 with no notification from DWP of this. I appreciate and thank all concerned for the time and work organising the events a big thank you .hoping for a positive result of the JR.
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Could Dr Davina Lloyd explain who it was that banned her from going to uni? As she was married I presume it was her husband but it would be good if it could be clarified before people run away with the idea that married women weren’t allowed to go to uni in the 70s….. Which is clearly not true
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It is up to Dr Davina Lloyd to come back to you on this. But as I understand it, she could not get a grant to go to university because they did not pay out grants to married women mature students. But the law was changed.
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Grants were based on spouses income. A single woman or man would have had a grant based on parents income. My point was that the comment suggested that married women were barred from uni in the 70s so thank you for confirming that wasn’t the case
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Thank you 💐
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I to was never told that I would not get a pension at 60 but would have to wait until I was 66. I was born 1954.My husband who was born in 1948 had to retire early due to a heart attack.
When I found out about my pension which was from a friend I was 59, we had to move from the house we had lived in for 32 years and down size and use the money to make ends meet.They have stolen my pension and my bus pass and I want them back
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I work with a lady who is now 70 who refused to retire when she could so that she could build her pension up, often falling asleep at her desk and struggling to walk with her stick. She was diagnosed with terminal cancel earlier this year so will not need a pension after all. Is this what the government is aiming for?? I have now reached the age of 60 and although I am fit and well at the moment I would like to be able to have the choice to be able to retire and not starve.
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Well its with sadness to read some replies of ladies and their sad stories how this. has effected them ..My message to all women born in the 50’s we have the best legal team Joanne welch and all other campaigners who have done and outstanding job be patience we have waited from June for the result of the JR it comes to those who wait.Patience is a virtue.
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I have omitted to say when you expect your sp as I did at the age of 60 after paying full stamp all working years finishing due to government cut backs and medical problems most of all no notification from DWP of the sp extra years . it has been very hard but the end is nigh at coming to a successful end claim granted.
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I would like to thank all the people working very hard for back to 60 campaign good luck for the JR review. I have worked for 44hrs paid full national insurance contribution but when it came time to have my pension the goal post changed which is very dishonest of this government hope all the women of present and future will get our justice very soon. Women in numbers are powerful and the government should respect us ladies like themselves untied we remain fingers cross for our future . Tript a Khanna
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Like many of the other females I was never informed I would not receive a pension at 60 and the additional years I would need to wait, how appalling. It is very sad for some women whom have been affected with ill health, could the stress of this financial situation be a contributing factor? It appears the people in power whom made the decisions for women to have to wait many years to receive their pensions had no care for the financial, emotional or physical hardship that these women would have to endure. I am extremely grateful for this campaign and hope the people or should I say robbers responsible can be brought to account.
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So grateful to you all – constant tireless efforts to win.
I thought I’d just about be able to manage but didn’t factor in the possibility of health problems, and now elderly parent pressures.
I’m struggling with the type of work I do as it is impossible to do it full-time, and I cannot get extra hours as am deemed ‘too old’. Health is now ailing – I used to be very fit-and have a very tight budget.Im 61 – what chances have I left?
Backto60 is my lifeline – thankyou so very much for your help on behalf of all the strugglers.It’s my only hope for the future as I don’t knowhow much longer I can manage this.
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It is enabling to know that we are in a justified fight to set right the wrongs that have been so horribly visited on hard working caring women..
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Thank you so much for the wonderful fight you are making.
I’ve been in nursing all of my working life. Now I need to be looked after to be able to retire but I cant afford to, I would have to use up my savings. Truly, I did not prepare to work 6 more years.
My sister in law is nearly 64years old. She is in palliative care due to cancer. She and my brother have had to leave work earlier than planned with inadequate pensions !!. She needs her pension ASAP to help her in the time she has left. If not, she has been robbed !!!
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I would like to get involved. I live in south east Northumberland. Are there any action groups in this area please?
Many thanks
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Just heard about your fabulous campaign.my situation is born in 1956.i was a stay at home mum from 1979.my husband worked long hours away from home in the uk and abroad as a lorry driver.he died suddenly last september 6th age 63 .is there any help for me ive been awarded 25pound a week till n.2020 march when i will be 64.i live in spain good luck too everyone
Isobel stepney
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