Coronavirus: Why more than ever BackTo60 were right to challenge that judicial review decision over #50sWomen pensions

My radio interview which is now on the BackTo60 site

One of the most disturbing things coming back to the UK after nearly three months is how the country is now gripped in an inevitable lock down without any sign of an exit – as this nasty virus – Covid-19 – takes a grip on the nation.

For women and men in their 60s the situation is particularly dire. They should be protected but are not. Instead they have the problems of either being pushed out of work and put at the mercy of the hopeless and half finished Universal Credit system or the government’s long delayed payments for the self employed for any money.

They know they are a high risk group recognised by the World Health Organisation ( WHO) but they are caught between surviving on savings or going out to work – including for the NHS and in care homes – knowing they stand a greater chance of getting the virus. The two scenarios I illustrated in my article for Byline Times.

But probably the most pleasing thing that happened while I was away was the decision of the Court of Appeal to grant an appeal from the two 50swomen on behalf of BackTo60 on all grounds after the disappointing judicial review decision. which rejected their case.

The women I know have a long wait until July for the hearing but if they hadn’t taken this step they would be nowhere under this present Tory government.

The applicants at the time would not have known how damaging the coronavirus would be but fortunately they got their right to appeal before the courts closed down to hear most new cases. The latest situation at the Court of Appeal can be seen in their latest briefing( April 17).

The fact that BackTo60 has got an appeal on all grounds is significant given the judicial review rejected their case on all grounds and the judge who decided this also wanted to stop an appeal.

Lawyers for the claimants were confident that they could win permission to appeal – and they were right.

At the time detractors – many of whom should have known better – were making wild claims about the crowd funding appeal – which was set at a specific figure on the advice of the lawyers- and trying to stir up animosity against BackTo60. They did not succeed and the result is the issue remains very much alive.

The other key result is that for the government the issue will have to be faced again – ministers have not succeeded in squashing the campaign in the courts. The government knows it will have to argue its case again and 3.8 million women will have a voice at the Royal Courts of Justice to say why they were mistreated and swindled out of their pensions.

I have given a radio interview which is also on BackTo60 and you can listen to it at the top of this blog.

50s women dancing in front of the Royal Court of Justice after the judge granted their request for a judicial review the first time

126 thoughts on “Coronavirus: Why more than ever BackTo60 were right to challenge that judicial review decision over #50sWomen pensions

    • it makes my blood boil when I keep hearing on the news etc that the gov as found 330 billion and more to fight covid 19 and yet before this said there had nothing to pay 50s womens pensions out and thus the rises in state pension ages well if they can find all that money for covid 19 and lets not forget the HS2 train line is still going ahead too (costing billions again ) when normality resumes. I feel this should be mentioned at the appeal in july if its allowed.plus theres been no mention of any help for over 60s 70s out of this 330billion plus the gov as found. Maybe money trees do exist and we are being well and truly robbed coming up to 5yrs now for me what really hacks me off is getting that extra year added on come oct not once but twice robbed. that’s the thanks you get in this country for working the best part of your life and asking for nothing cant even have a bus pass but that’s useless right now. welcome back David you have been very much missed. thankyou for all you are doing to help us its very much appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Hi Janet my birthday is may 6th I will be 65,yet they say startes October,I have checked with Gov and has come up I will get my pension next year when I am 65,can you shed any light on this ,I dont understand how this is working or can anyone else, thankyou x

        Like

      • Dear Janet Escott
        The £330bn or £200bn depending on what newspaper you read, is the free money given to government by the Bank of England (called QE) that incurs no national debt, and is for Covid19 budget.

        The HS2 budget is not on hold, as nature campaigners are informing of woodland being chopped down on the intended route. HS2 is already an obsolete technology, as Richard Branson is building the next generation, faster train, that runs in a tube up on aqueducts, in India, or underground as being built by an American firm in the USA between Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia.

        And Dear Sylvia Hepple, pension age rise is not dead on 65 for some, but include 65 and some months, even up to 65 and 11 months. Also the website and the pension phone system talking to a person, all say different things.

        Like

      • Dear Geraldine Watson and David Hencke
        The Bank of England has given the government free money (QE) that costs no government debt, for Covid19 spending.

        With the abandonment of the elderly to a high death rate, not recorded officially, but said by care homes themselves, as the elderly have been entirely left to die without Covid19 hospitalisation, then the National Insurance Fund must have the biggest surplus it has ever had.

        Us aged 60 to 69 have equal no chance of Covid19 hospitalisation, by NHS points system used by Doctors.

        And deaths at home are not being counted either.

        And without testing of the dead, how can Covid19 be on the Death Certificate.

        The government would not need to find the money to pay the 1950s ladies their full half a decade compensation money. Because it would not come from general taxation needed for the NHS, but not being spent.

        The National Insurance Fund’s surplus is more than enough to pay us in full, due to this fatal pandemic to people from 60 to 100 plus.

        The compensation would enable 1950s born women to remain home and not work, whether not yet retired or already retired (there are more pensioners still in work today since 2010).

        Like

      • I had a severely disabled daughter . I had quite a fight on to get invalid care allowance . The benefit office told me I was not allowed this benefit because I was a married woman . I was even sent an OUT of date form. After lots of arguments I did receive the payment .and was then told . “When the rules were change allowing married women to get care allowance they get the money from somewhere to pay it so they took it from the pension fund . “ At the time I told them robbing Peter to pay Paul was very poor house keeping. Which I have been proved right. The pension fund is now in difficulties
        Una

        Like

  1. I wish I was eloquent enough to express my gratitude for all you have done. The last 5 years have been so soul destroying and have made me feel worthless and so tired. At least 50,s women have felt the commitment and dedication for our cause from you. I am 5yrs in and really feel at times (especially at this present time) that I can barely make it to my hard earned pension. YOU have given me hope and strength, thank you from the bottom of my proud heart.

    Like

      • David, can you explain what this paragraph means please – which detractors were making wild claims about the crowd funding appeal – obviously I don’t mean individual names?
        ‘At the time detractors – many of whom should have known better – were making wild claims about the crowd funding appeal – which was set at a specific figure on the advice of the lawyers- and trying to stir up animosity against BackTo60. They did not succeed and the result is the issue remains very much alive.’

        Like

      • David, as the P.M’s advisor thinks it’s just too bad if pensioners die during this pandemic and as Iain Duncan Smug feels they should “just shut it down and it will all go away”, I would like to propose that if any 50’s ladies should die and the appeal is successful, that any money owed to them should be paid to their families. That way these thieves won’t get away with not paying. Thank you for all that you are doing

        Like

      • Thank you for what you are doing. Worked all my life took I’llat 59 had to retire due to ill health. Been in same job special needs school for 32 years. Took my pension 346 per month that is my only income monthly. It’s a disgrace when you have put in to pot.

        Like

      • Am a healthcare assistant for the NHS for the past 45 years .I have just turn 64 .Where i work became a covid19 ward my anxiety levels were very high as were my colleagues but I done it not wanting to let anyone down.My husband passed away 3 years ago age 65 he received only 4 months state pension before he passed away working all his life from 15 to 64 .
        Things are changing so fast in the NHS that am feeling anxious and because am deaf and everyone in the hospital have to wear face masks it adds to my anxiety and confidence if I could retire I would .
        Thank you to all you people for giving hope to me and everyone affected by this injustice.
        Mimi

        Like

    • Totally agree. Thank you David. If I wasn’t living with my partner of 16 years having suffered with Atrial Fibrillation and been able to take early retirement I wouldn’t be here now. Am soooooo angry.

      Like

      • I feel just the same 66 in October still working full time and tired out!

        Thank you so much for what you are trying to do for us

        Like

    • l am 61yrs was diagnosed with leukemia just a few months before l was 60yrs .l got type 1 diabetes in my teens .have 2 other auto immune diseases have had 3 children .worked since l was 16 yrs old and l am having to work until l am 66yrs. l go back to work 1st August after shielding .l can’t help feeling resentful after the announcement people are getting pay rises by the means of government money which no doubt has been made easier at our expense.l work as a cashier at a supermarket so going back to work frightens me but l can’t afford not to work even though l am not in great health.why can’t the government pay our pensions and our jobs will help people who need a job.

      Like

  2. It makes me sick to the stomach David that not only have lots more 60s women have now passed away with this dreadful virus, they along with many more died before receiving their pension their pension, its disgusting. Welcome Back David

    Like

    • Lynn, I think about you a lot. May 6th you said at 64 years and 4 months old. I hope you are well darling. Bollocks to Boris. We’re not dead in the water yet. Pity we can’t turn back the clock and take away all the misery out of our later years. I sent him a card just before he got sick. It said. Do not think we have gone away. You will never be forgiven. None of them will. They took our lives away. Driving people to despair is a kind of murder.

      Like

      • Hi Lynne and thank you, yes 6th May and counting, I am doing okay and hope you are too in these very scary times. I am praying like all of us for justice in July, I am frightened to get excited though as we have had so many set backs. Keep Safe xx

        Like

      • Don’t get excited about it. I have realised with the shocking and disgraceful lies around ppe that we are all totally expendable. I will send you a silent cheer on May 6th though. Enjoy.!!!! As I recall from from last year the courts have to make an order for the bastard tories to pay us all. More chance of us all winning a quadruple lottery on the same day!! I have given up now. Its all too late, they have given out all the peoples money to fat cat businesses. Disaster is staring us all in the face now. When they let nurses and doctors die as well as all the carers cleaners bus drivers etc, etc, etc…….. But you enjoy honey. You deserve to enjoy. With love.

        Like

  3. Thanks once again for your support David, so nicely explained. Hope we all live to see the outcome in these very difficult times 🙏

    Like

  4. call me a skeptic or ‘delusional’ but i can’t thinking the government may have a conflict of interests here as far as pensions liability goes……

    Like

  5. Thank you David from the bottom of our hearts. There is money, it’s what they do with it!! I am literally crawling to my way overdue pension in July! Having to do some night shifts to survive, which have not done for years. Its beyond words what we have endured, now this. I joked the world would end before I got my dues. Double irony, having been locked down for 6 years and desperate to see the world, now I cant(I will though!)
    Onwards all xx

    Like

  6. Welcome back. Dreaming and living in hope that we win this time. That money tree can have a good shake in our direction. Thank you David.

    Like

  7. Thank you David for your constant support! But I feel our appeal will be greatly overshadowed by this horrible situation we now in!! WHO indicated over 60’s vulnerable… UK followed saying the same… then quickly changed it to Over 70’s because they know they have forced us 50’s women to keep working on! I am 64 next month and front line worker in care home… I am doing extra shifts because my much younger colleagues are self isolating because of young families… we held up the country once during hard times…now we doing it again!! We need support like this!! Thank you! Loved sharing your journey with you and Margaret! Stay safe!!

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Dear David Hencke, There is a campaign by We Paid In, You Pay Out (1960s born plus) but for all WPIYPO, to gain pension payment in full from age 60 (1960s born) and between 60 and 66 for men and women, due to WHO informing 95 per cent of global Covid19 deaths start from age 60.

    We will not get a Covid19 hospital bed / respirator, by age group alone, from 60 to 100 plus.

    The new Nightingale acute bed unit is not offering care home residents those Covid19 beds, because the government is only counting deaths in hospitals from Covid19.

    The government is even sending home elderly people from hospital without testing for Covid19, back to nursing homes, and then not granting PPE to care home workers. Testing for Covid19 is not being done for the elderly in the nursing homes. No NHS care is offered to them either.

    The Tory government has free money direct from Bank of England (QE) for Covid19 funding, but they are not spending it on the elderly, at greatest risk of death from Covid19, just by age group alone.

    People below age 50, are the one within underlying health issues as risk of death but they get a chance of a Covid19 hospital bed.

    The old are being killed by design.

    Like

    • Exactly. Then when its all over they will just sweep it under the world pandemic excuses table. Covid has been a godsend to them. No pensions to pay, no elderly sick people to pay out for. Covid made for the Tories and Labour just silent. When you see planes still coming in with humans, not tested, just straight into society in uk, thats when you know they are STUPID or its a deliberate policy to weed out the weakest and therefore more expensive sections of society. That includes kids as well. No sentiment for any of us, we’ve worked, we’re carers and we’re poor mostly, so what. Get rid of us all and happy days for the Tories.

      Like

  9. I have supported this fight from the beginning despite being just outside of the Campaign (born early 62); I understand that any victory clearly would benefit me, as it will All women. However as a disabled woman with no private pension I left work – due to a severe deterioration in my health, expecting to retire at 60. Now that time is less than 2 years away I find myself praying for a win. Not to have to deal with the DWP and potentially UC would be mean more than I express. I Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support David.

    Like

    • Dear jayne162 and David Hencke –
      We Paid In, You Pay Out pension campaign group, has a sub group for the 1960s to 1980s born, who have a campaign running now for full payment of state pension (so becoming pensioners) for the 1960s born now turning 60 (and between 60 and 67 for you) because the World Health Organisation confirm again and again that the highest risk of Covid19 death STARTS from age 60, not 70.

      Not only that, from 60 the NHS points system gives us the least chance, just like all elderly, of a Covid19 bed / respirator.

      You are around 8m people aged from 60 to 69 in UK.

      Forced into work when should be pensioners.

      This might also mean pensioner status for men and women born in the 1950s, not yet retired.

      Will you, David Hencke, help that campaign Sir?

      If you agree jayne162, then say Yes here and I will add you to my list, when WPIYPO send the email to our MPs all at the same time.

      Like

  10. David, please look into how much extra the Government are giving to schools to support the huge 7.6% increase in the Employers Teachers Pension contributions last September. This is coming from tax payers money. In total 23.6% is being put into individuals pension pots for when they retire. We can’t even get our State pension let alone have private pensions – paid for by taxpayers. I’m not saying Teachers shouldn’t get good pensions especially as front line workers at present but none of this is made public.

    Like

    • I met teachers last year in Labour party’s women’s conference in Telford, who were saying how the Teachers’ pension system had been lowered in terms and future money, by their new works pension contract. Also remember that teachers being public sector workers, get vastly reduced state pension from the new flat rate state pension by use of SERPs opt out, yet SERPs going forwards, was abolished at the same time that new state pension system began in 2016.

      I lost, as a council worker, around £1000 a year for life from my new flat rate state pension gained last year (finally).

      Like

      • Hello Grey, Thank you for your reply, however, how many people even have additional pensions, especially women from the 50’s.Very few women were offered Pension schemes in their day. All they have is their State Pension which has been in some cases cut by 6 years! This has left them with no pensions, let alone losing some of their occupational pensions and those of us still working are contributing to these pensions and continuing to pay National Insurance even though we have paid in for, in my case 48 years! Teachers do get reasonably paid, midday supervisors, teaching assistants don’t, these are the people that are having to work until they are 66 with no pension at all and contributing to the these pension schemes through their taxes and NI. I would guess that very few Private Pension companies pay 23.7% into an employees pension scheme. I think the Governments new compulsory opt in pension scheme is around 3% for employers. Its strange how the Government is planning for Teachers’ retirement but have left women in their 50’s with nothing. I would add that this isn’t a complaint against Teachers at all, this is just trying to way up the injustice of Pensions lost for the 50’s women.

        Like

  11. Thank you for this clarity & for hope. Given that during the previous judicial review so much doubt was poured onto government finding money, we now know that enormous sums of money can be found & should be but also to right the 1950s great DWP pension scandal. How many 1950s women have now died before collecting their DWP pension? I won’t collect mine until beginning of August, an extra 1yr,11mnths,1week so a total wait of 5yrs,11mnths,1 week total loss £49,920 from 42yrs NI. We were constantly told by politicians extra wait only 18 months, did someone forget to tell the DWP? It is too late for many of our cohort who have died, I continue to fight for them. Thank you BackTo60. xx

    Like

    • One of worst things is that husbands/partners are having to lose our state pension money out of their money. Just another double whammy. Of course, better than being a widow or single. What a wonderful world. Men usually, keeping us little 1950s housewives. Thank goodness mine is not violent but thats another subject. My first evil one would have been a different story…… I divorced my first one in 1987. Maintenance of £30 a week for 2 sons. He paid me 3 months in a total of 14 years. In March 2019 the DWP sent me a letter saying they were closing my case from 1987 because he had been dead for 4 years. No apology. He left £350, 000 to his second wife. Great init????? My life has been a total round of poverty caused by our woeful governments and that includes when Labour Blair was in. I’ve kept that dwp letter to remind me that I am unworthy in every way. It would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic.

      Like

  12. Thanks for what you are doing. I’m 63 so have another 3yrs to go yet. Have just taken early retirement from NHS as I could no longer do the job I loved. I am now on 12week shielding due to ill health.

    Like

  13. I am almost 65, and have been wishing my life away for years, waiting to get my pension. With a disabled husband and raising a family, I still managed to accrue 41 full years of contributions . Imagine my shock, on having to finish work in poor health, that I had an extra 6 years to wait. I have lost a estimated £51, 000, which would have made a huge difference to our quality of life.

    I am due to finally get my pension next year, but now I fear that the government will use the state of the economy to change the triple lock system, and gradually erode our long awaited pensions in terms of their real value.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. I wholly agree with this cause being a 63 year old woman who won’t be eligible for my pension for another 3 years. I also am aggrieved that It appears that money can be produced by the government if there is a will. However I believe we are about to enter an horrendous recession if not depression and the pension plea will be at the bottom of a long list for attention.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Thanks very much for all you do David. I’m a bit confused – will the appeal still go ahead in July (via some online\distancing means if we’re still isolating)?

    Like

    • Yes it is scheduled. We don’t know what the circumstances will be in July but the courts and tribunal service say the Royal Courts of Justice do intend to start scheduling more cases

      Like

      • That’s good news – and many many thanks for such a quick reply, and on a Sunday! Much appreciated.

        Like

      • hi in 64 still waiting for my pension I get esa and have medicals to see if I’m fit for work on my last assessment. My interviewer scored me nothing saying there was nothing wrong with me and I was not with any health issues i would like to say what my issues I have got angina had a mild stroke suffer with arthritis.thyroid, brittle bone and can hardly walk due to breaking my right leg in 10 places and in constant pain. The system is all wrong . I am very sad that people are dying due the the coronavirus but what angers me the goverment said they have no money but have found it for this pandemic i truly believe we have been robbed of our rightful pension

        Like

  16. Thank you so much for all your doing
    I got made redundant from Mothercare in January when it folded . And can’t get universal credit as my husband has a state pension, and was told I’m too young to get pension credits I’m 62 . Haven’t been able to get a job at the moment either. It seems so unfair .

    Like

  17. The women are all the ones any government can push around but as has been said money for covid, HS2. I know Covid is a world emergency but HS2 is not it’s a waste of money my wife who has stood on a market stall in the cold for 30 years is now forced to do it for another 5 although she is diabetic and has arthritis any government is fighting this hoping a few more thousand eligible women will DIE before a agreed payout it’s disgusting behaviour from our government

    Like

  18. Couldn’t agree more, my sister had a stroke three years ago at 62 is unable to work, I’m now almost 63 and both of us can’t have our pension till 66, I’m helping support her and pay towards her rent till her pension is paid at age 66, I can’t give up work because of this and won’t get my pension till I’m 66. My brother has now had a stroke at 53, it runs in the family, so I fear I’ll be working the rest of my days to support them both….. not good, now Corona, whatever next!

    Like

  19. A big thank you David Hence and team for still sticking with us 1950s women. I know that at the moment we are having very difficult times but hopefully when we all get through this pandemic the government will be made to give us the pension which is rightfully ours. I’ve just completed 50yrs service working for the same company all that time in the belief that my government pension would come to me at age 60. I’m 66yr this September I just hope that I and many other 1950s women survive this difficult time to get a long and healthy retirement. Good luck with the appeal. STAY SAFE EVERYONE ❤️

    Like

  20. Having been made redundant last year aged 64 I had to go out and find full time employment again which I did thank goodness. I have worked since I was 15 have never claimed a penny and just want what I’ve paid for for nearly 50 years!! I am furloughed off work yet because of my age I am in at “at risk” bracket but if I was told to go back to work I would have to because I have no other income and expected to have my pension at 60 and not have to wait until I’m 66 in October!

    Like

  21. Keep up the good work as these lovely ladies were badly done to.
    Maybe now with all that’s happening the Tories will appreciate that 60 is a long enough time to have been working, as every worker does not work in the city or have desk jobs. But have physical hard work and cannot possibly go on for any extra years. As the Tories have shafted these women, wait and see what they will give to our heroes of the NHS when this pandemic is over. Nothing but platitudes I bet.

    Like

  22. Thank you, gives me some hope. My solicitor finalised my divorce on 2003, that I would get my pension at 60. It was still showing on the government’s website that was my retirement age. My divorce made no account for a pension from my ex- husband. I was and still am I’ll, resulting from a highly stressful job in the emergency services. Now I am alone and
    I’ll and unable to work, and the government has said the ‘old’ people can be by-passed for treatment with the virus, where does that leave me? One minute we have to go to 66yrs- the next if we are over 60 we are on the vulnerable scrap heap! Thank goodness someone is standing for some justice- thank you.

    Like

  23. I’m 65 and receive my pension in January next year. I’ve looked after my husband since 1993 following two brain tumours and now Lewy Body Dementia, having had to leave full time work to do so. I receive Carer’s Allowance only and we live off his State Pension and a Pension Credit top up. I was going to apply for ESA but my Doctor wouldn’t sign a fit to work letter, despite me having Emphysema and his response was “you can go out and get a job”! Firstly who is going to employ me at 65 with health problems and secondly who is going to take over the care of my husband which will cost a lot more than the £67 per week they pay me. My pension five years ago would have been a godsend as it still would now, fingers crossed for a positive outcome and thanks everyone involved for championing our cause.

    Like

  24. Yes

    You deserve admiration and praise

    Can I ask what the case has a low profile
    Not featured at all in the mass media

    We need somehow to keep the momentum going

    I know you have excellent legal people and advisers
    Somehow Boris needs to exposed
    He used to show empathy to this issue
    Can you also send articles to the press especially the quality press

    The pressure must be ongoing

    Mr Kyri Maratheftis

    Like

  25. I nursed for 43 years in the NHS. Dedicated to my job and retired at the age of 61 due to painful arthritis. I have undergone a hip replacement and 2 knee replacements. I felt I had no choice but to give up work because I was unfit to work in any physically demanding areas such as wards etc. I also suffer from asthma which I believed that I contracted by disinfecting using Sudol and working in theatres whereby endoscopes were disinfected being immersed in open trays. Unbeknown to nurses this was later proven to be unsafe, being a known cause for bronchial irritation. Looking back on my own work practice I firmly believe that I was one of the staff who contracted my asthma by undertaking these practices at work.
    Like all dedicated nurses of my time I believed I would get my government pension at the age of 60 allowing me to be able to retire at 60. Bearing in mind I was a one parent family of three girls and had to work to support my family but having taking out from my NHS pension whilst being a supported wife and on maternity leave , this meant when I did retire I only had 35 years accumulated, however with thinking my government pension would be part of my income I had assumed I’d be okay! But not to be.
    I have been fortunate to remarry and if it was not for the support of my husband I could not have afforded to retire on my work pension alone. I cannot imagine how or where I could have worked with the disabling pain that sometimes consumes me.

    Like

  26. Thank you so much for helping us. I am 63 and still working but according to WHO I am at risk – it is a scandal that women like me and there are millions of us should be forgotten when we have worked and paid into the system for , in my case, over 40 years.This government can find the money when it suits them – MPs expenses, the Lords , railways nobody wants but not for the hard working women of Britain.

    Like

  27. Thank you so much David and the team for everything you are doing for us. I am 61 and disabled with multiple long term medical conditions. I won’t get my state pension until I am 66. Some days I fear I may not get there to see the pension I have worked so very hard for. I suppose that’s what the govt wants. Everyday is a struggle but I still don’t meet the criteria for PIP and thanks to a small occupational pension and my savings I am getting by – just. There is very little to live on after my bills are paid and I am in constant fear of debt, prices going up and not being able to manage. I cannot work as much as I would like to, my health won’t cope with it.
    I despair sometimes but won’t give in because I know there are wonderful kind people like you fighting on our behalf. Thank you so much.

    Like

  28. Hi David,
    I will be 60 years of age in November and will not get my pension till my 66 years and seven months. I know that you are looking at supporting ladies born in the years 50s . Will this apply to people born in the early 1960s.
    Thank You

    Angela

    Like

  29. Yeah. I am 65 in September. I am a support worker and as such expected to honour and shop and deliver shopping to people 20 years younger than me. As my husband has asthma we have both taken a months leave without pay relying on savings. I was keeping fit when I retire in September 2021. I’m not sure I can go back to work yet because of the risk and might even lose my job. I only work 10 hours a week but it’s very scary

    Like

  30. Thankyou David for all you are doing. I am 63 and my job ended in March 19. I was not able to retire despite Arthritis in my hands, coxix & Neck, Peripheral Vascular Desease, Myxadema and Duodenal Crohns due to my pension age being changed to 66. An assesment by UC found me fit for work regardless of health conditions. This caused Anxiety which I didn’t have before due to the instability of everything and I had CBT treatment which was helpful but I feel would not have needed if I had been given the stability of my pension. I am taking the WHO advise for over 60s to isolate rather than the Governments over 70 although my health conditions are not on the list of vulnerable people. I am led to believe that over 60s will not be included in the full treatment of CV19 should it be required although a Minister in one of the briefings has stated that people who have a DNR are not to be witheld treatment for CV19 on that basis and that each case must be assessed individually. I do not have a DNR to my knowledge but I am concerned, not that I would not be given treatment, as I would prefer it to be given to someone with more life chances but that the decision on this would be taken from me and decided by an NHS Trust or Nice Guideline or god forbid an Algo rhythm without my concent. This is too close to home for me as my mother was murdered by Harold Shipman. I have also noticed prior to CV19 there seems to be a push towards gaining prior concents to DNRs. My feeling on that are liken to buying something on the doorstep and feeling pressured to sign up. It’s not necessary to sign up to until its needed and discussions with friends and family before hand are a good enough way to ensure wishes are met rather than be pressured before hand without all the full facts. Anyway thank you for all you are doing and thank you to all the other ladies and gentlemen who have supported us and each other many of whom are in a far worse position than I am. Xx

    Like

    • Thank you David
      So many of us over 60s women are struggling physically mentally and emotionally, finding are jobs harder with many having to work more than one job to make their hours up in order to manage financially. And yes anti discriminatory legislation helps to get to interview stage but when it comes to being employed there is a slim chance when younger fitter people apply. It makes sense to pay us our pension and create more jobs for the young people who are unemployed as the government will save money because there will be less people to pay unemployment benefit to. We used to be a country that cared about our senior citizens and it saddens me that there seems to be no empathy, or support for our ageing population anymore so God help those thinking they will be able to retire on their state pension under the age of 70 in the future if we all sit back and allow it to happen. There needs to be more protesting in our towns and cities around the country when we are actually free to gather again and in the meantime I encourage writing to the health minister and Boris Johnson ..I have..let’s make good use of our time in lockdown to let them know we haven’t been knocked down to lay down…we got up again and we will not give up, not only for our sake but for generations to come to know justice prevails
      Stay safe and well everyone.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Sheila,I have just read your comment and I feel so sorry and sad for you with everything you have gone through and are still going through,I neither will be treated so we are on our own .let me try and give you some comfort of where I am in this as I too have gone through some things,I gave my life to Jesus I asked him into my heart and repented of my sins,I pray every day and read my bible,I follow my Lord and Saviour ,I have peace because I know where I am heading and that will be back to my Lord I made peace and he has fully forgiven me,he took my place and paid for my sins on the cross,John 3:16 says for God so Loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life,I dont have fear I am saved,I have peace what ever comes, God Bless 🙂

      Like

  31. Hi thanks so much for trying for us. I am now 65 and still have to wait until next year when I’m 66 to receive my state pension!! I have no income & have struggled since I had Inflammatory breast cancer at the age of 61 with chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiotherapy & reconstruction. I am now suffering with anxiety as my husband had a heart attack with all of the stress. It is a constant worry about money I have worked in the city of London since 16 to 61 always paid full stamp so it seems so unfair working my whole life then when I need help it isn’t there. I feel that the government hope you pop your clocks so they don’t have to give you anything. Can’t get equity release as my mum lives with us so if my husband or me die mum would have to move out of our home. Mum is 86 so unfair when we should be enjoying our life but struggling to pay bills.
    I know it’s seems nothing when all of worries with this terrible virus but we have this extra worry. My husband now got his pension last year when he was 65 so we are grateful for that. Thanks again for helping us all keep safe & well x

    Like

  32. This is all so difficult. We are locked down and the appeal date is fast approaching. With no money and unable to meet friends involved in this. Luckily I am locked down with my 92 year old mother and as a carer I have to take extra special care of course. So far I have managed. But for how much longer it’s impossible to say. Stay safe everyone. 😷

    Like

  33. Well done everyone, thinking of you and wishing you well from home in Italy. I have had 6 years nicked by the Government who enacted this and its successor who carried out the theft of some 50k Eu. My worry is they are going to have further bites out of our retirement. Serial larcenists take 2 years from me, then take another 4.
    Thank you for your continued effort against these criminals.

    Like

      • Hi Marie No it will be three different ones higher up the ladder than the others and hopefully unbiased. Otherwise they would have been no point in appealing if it was the same three as before…. we have a good chance of winning this. but wait till july we must!

        Like

  34. I would be very interested to know why people with diabetis have been taken off the shielding list when it has been documented they are most at risk of they get covid 19 of dying. See Wuhan reports on deaths, see other data. Why is the UK the exception to the rule?

    It seems extremely odd that initially vulnerable included diabetics, HBP etc etc and needed to be protected. Then suddenly we are left to carry on working in the front line with diabetis and other underlying illness that puts us even more at risk.

    Are the 60+ generation just being hung out to dry, is the hope we are the generation that is also wiped out. Is the government agenda to clear out the future drain on their finances. Wipe out the 70+ generation and save on care.

    It sickens me and enrages me that any government can get away with this.

    Like

    • Hello Dee. Of course they want us all extinguished. Money is God and Power. They have the power because we are poor. Yep. They do want us dead, kaput. Nice eh.??? Look after yourself as much as possible. The more of us that survive the more pissed off the inbred totally uncaring government will be.

      Like

  35. Lynn, I think about you a lot. May 6th you said at 64 years and 4 months old. I hope you are well darling. Bollocks to Boris. We’re not dead in the water yet. Pity we can’t turn back the clock and take away all the misery out of our later years. I sent him a card just before he got sick. It said. Do not think we have gone away. You will never be forgiven. None of them will. They took our lives away. Driving people to despair is a kind of murder.

    Like

  36. David Hencke, l do LOVE you!! 😍🥰You make us back to 60 ladies feel less alone. With people losing jobs, employment due to rise and the economy taking a down turn, it is a travesty that us ladies in our 60’s be forced to compete in a job market we ought to have been out of years ago.
    1950’s women – old enough to be in the WHO’s vulnerable group, young enough to be forced into full time work by our government. A government who have conveniently pushed the age if the UK’s vulnerable group up to 70! Whatever suits…
    Thank you for being our friend.
    Kindest Regards.
    Suzy Alty
    Very Kindest Regards.

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Well done David getting the message out there, there is something very wrong with our society when those overseeing the running of the country and it’s finances allow this to happen.

    Like

  38. Dear David. I have just been on The Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman who are investigating the 6 cases with the same issues re 1950s Womens Pensions. Seperate from the justice case. What are your views on this please. I cannot see that they have made any decision but the site does offer compensation tariffs if we win which the DWP would have to pay to all of us women affected.

    Like

  39. Boris got covid. How terribly sad.

    The people get covid, well that’s just too bad.
    The nurses get covid, well thats just too bad,
    The doctors get covid, again, just too bad.

    Boris gets Chequers to relax and to roam
    One thousand acres for him and Carrie alone.

    The people get covid,
    Just left in their homes.,
    So long as Boris not affected,
    Oh, why do they moan????????

    My husband gets covid they will leave him to die,
    If I get covid, I’m just left to die.

    If you get covid
    You know the next line
    The Tories just stand up and deny and deny
    Do they know what truth is or, are they just blind?
    Like some warped kind of nemesis
    Come down from the skies.

    Just think of the pensions we’ll save from the dead,
    Most over 60’s it has to be said.
    The Tories don’t care, they just think of themselves
    Always play Santa and we’re just the elves.

    We slave all our lives long and what do we get?

    Santa does one night then needs a years rest.

    Boris got covid, he must have been bad.
    Or, Boris got covid, I bet he was mad.

    Like

  40. As. Waspi lady widowed I am due to receive my Pension I will be 66yrs of age.i sold my house have been living off my savings, have no widows pension nor Universal credit .My husband Passed away at 61yrs never drawing his pension and told I can’t claim any back.My total pension Is £54 weekly ?…..as of March 03 2020
    Thank God I have savings from my house. I hold the Government responsible for my predicament
    Mrs O. Henry .

    Like

  41. Hi all I would like to say that tho yes it does take money to help the NHS fight this crisis and help to supply the vital supplies that ALL frontline staff need from NHS staff to bus drivers. But why oh why is this stupid new rail link taking place at a cost to us over 60s women, but at a terrible cost to the environment.the advanced passenger trains of 81 were a white elephant also!. This is tipical for the government to find money for useless progects like this when they don’t seem to be able to find the money for our pensions. And why do they need £10.ooo each to work from home ????.
    This is a very trying time for all of us women who are having to live on our savings. this when we have worked all our lives. has ramped up the anxiety levels no end. Yes I know that with savings, I am better off than some people who have nothing to fall back on, I still have high anxiety, having Asbergers Syndrome which does’nt help. This situation is Grosely unfair . and must be changed immediately. I appreciate that Waspi women and Back to 60 are two different organisations,
    but unpresidently anxious timesdue to this current crisis. I can only say that if we could work together to show a united front. then it might ,just might proove a tipping point. We could all then stand UNITED.

    Best wishes, Jill

    Like

  42. I’m with you ladies, I’m a late 1950’s left school in the mid 70’s when 3 million were unemployed, however, I worked from the age of 11, paper rounds, Saturday girl in hairdressers, checkout operative, both as Saturday girl and full time on leaving school, had a period of being at home with my young children due to child care, as my husband worked shift work 16 hour days to make ends meet. I returned to work and kept two job going to make ends meet in the late 80’s early 90’s yet another crash in the financial sector! Never had a benefit in my life with the exception of family allowance as it was then, and the £25 maternity grant for each child, no payment for maternity leave from work. I paid my National Insurance, which I understood was an insurance policy to pay for my health care and pension when I retire, the worst insurance I’ve ever encountered and lets face it there are some dreadful insurance polices out there. Never thought I would find my self like I am now, unemployed, unable to get work, because lets face it, although ageism is illegal, employers don’t want you at 60! I can’t get work cleaning toilets, not even care work, WHY! because you need a certificate. For the first time in my life I am unemployed, cannot have any benefits because I have a small private pension, (barely pays the rent). None the less, this government, believes my NI contributions count for nothing. Maggie Thatcher brought the age of retirement down to make way for the young to have work. Once this Covid 19 expires what are the government going to do to get people back into work, because current pension age leaves dead mans shoes for the young. For all those who think the 50s people have stolen their future think again WE didn’t the British Government has and will continue to do so. Give use our dues!

    Like

  43. Thank you so much for everything. I will not be renewing my membership for WASPI as I feel they have not done enough for us.
    I only trust back to 60 and will support them to the end.
    Once again many thanks for everything

    Like

  44. Hi I am 63 have serious health issues and now being made redundant by an employer I have worked for for 28 years. Won’t get pension till I am 66 and 4 months ie Jan 2023. What am I supposed to survive on till then. I am a divorced women that brought up 2 children as a single parent and always worked. Everything I saved for has now gone, there was never money left private pension I relied on the truth of the country I worked for and paid in their system. Result left with nothing. What am I expected to do?

    Like

  45. The government has suddenly found billions to sort out every man and his dog during “this” crisis. Rightly so too! Obviously, once again, our crisis or make that crises don’t count. I live in hope!!! Support BACK TO 60s

    Like

  46. I live in an affluent area although I’m not affluent myself, in fact I lost my home because of all this and live in rented now at 64 and so do all my children although they work very hard they went to university in debt forever and getting screwed by this government I’m so Proud of my Children they deserve better than this & a real future ,their mother having her pension stolen off her, she can’t even help them out. I feel that my hands are tied and being kicked in the face by the politicians every day of my life , the government telling us we are living forever …. No Jobs & No Pension Great Future …. there’s lots of us out there that that have got the Skills But because of age Discrimination have to put up with NOTHING No home no job no Pension No life ( I could put up with it if the Buck stopped here …..But Do we 50 women really think our children are not worth the fight to carry on … so I Say “BACK OFF TOO “….we want what’s rightfully ours ….
    (The terminology Shaking the money tree ,or borrowing the money doesn’t Compute we payed our money into their safe keeping trusted them with it !!! and should be there now! ( they Stole it …. just because they’re called a Government & are a group of people doesn’t mean there above the law ……
    I’m not surprised what people are saying about the Waspi ideas, I contacted one of there members …. and got the idea they were happy to kowtow to the Tories and accept the crumbs.
    How politically motivated are SOME of the Waspi any way……..?

    Like

  47. Yes I am a 65 year old woman who would like to self isolate but work front line in funerals
    as yet nobody can tell me if the virus lasts after death so I come to work every day I have no choice got to pay the rent

    Like

  48. Thanks for these reports David, it’s much appreciated.
    It’s scary being over 60 and on the ‘frontline’ – we have had our uses, been re-deployed and re-employed during this Corona19 health panic, so why should we have been treated differently before this time?
    It’s high time that it is recognised that we have been a substantial part of the backbone of this country and treated with respect as all needs could not have been met otherwise.

    Like

  49. The point is the government shouldn’t have to find the money, we have paid in already all our working life through our contributions. I will have paid nearly 50 years contributions when I receive my pension in January at the age of 66, so where has the money gone?

    Like

  50. Money seems to be found for a multitude of other things except for the people who paid into it for over 50 years! I’m 65 still working full time and don’t get my pension until October and gone is the hope of putting it to one side until I reached 65!!

    Like

  51. I like many are living on the bread line. I live on £498.00 a month. I am one of the lucky ones having no rent to pay as I have rent free accommodation but still have to pay a maintenance charge plus all the bills . I barely have 10.00 a week left after everything. If I had my pension now I could use my bus pass and would be much better off with my state pension. I cannot get benefit as I have a small private pension that brings in this amount of money and some savings which are for my funeral. So this puts me out of reach if any benefit help.

    Like

    • Jones you are not alone I am drawing a small private pension which pays £398 per calendar month if it wasn’t for my husband supporting us both with his pension I would still be working I’d have to even though I retired at 63 for health issues still got 1 and half years to go to my state pension at 66 Its wrong that many women like me that have paid 4 decades and more of n.i.s tax etc are relying on husbands partners etc to keep them because not all private pensions are generous mine certainly isnt. thought it was worth mentioning as some people think all private pensions are big pay outs when they are definately not as took 38 yrs to receive £398 a month.if I had my state pension and bus pass I would be a lot better off and would eventually be able to get out. we have been robbed for sure and this gov can find money for everything but for our pensions.

      Like

  52. Our appeal is July 21st and 22nd which cannot come soon enough for any of us.
    This time we have to get this injustice put right and all 50’s born women given their lives back.
    I have got 3 questions I would like answers to if anyone can help?

    When we had the judicial review we had to wait several weeks for outcome. Does anyone know Court holidays if any and if there are when they go back?

    Not that anyone would ever think our government was dodgy…..but when we win can the government drag it out further and Appeal?

    The ombudsman has a case hanging in the background for women’s pension. When does that get dealt with?

    Like

  53. Like a lot of women in their late fifties and sixties we are having to work because we have been robbed of our pension from the age of sixty. Women are also looking after ageing parents and often a parent with Dementia and other serious conditions. How much is the government saving by us women careing for these people and not refusing to look after family members and also not insisting that the government/council put people into a care home at great expense to the taxpayer. The government needs to urgently acknowledge this mistake and PAY our well earned PENSION.

    Like

  54. Hope this time the court and dwp will listen. I just need to retire I’m 65 cant bear the thought of working another year .

    Like

  55. I put my business up for sale as I was approaching my retirement.
    My business was connected to my home so I had to move house too when it was sold, then to be told that I didn’t have a pension was devastating.

    Like

  56. In the 80’s I was not allowed to
    Keep my children in a divorce case because I worked full time The judge thought I wasn’t or could be a good mother because I chose to work, took years to over turn that. I would not have been the only woman who was made to choose. This is about the wine. Made to leave work because they were pregnant the husbands who wouldn’t let their wife’s work it was a different world back then in working class areas. We left school at 15. We were expected to get married to keep house and work was something we did for pin money. How can you judge a women on laws made by men re her Inferiority to them 20-30 years ago now, seems unreal in this day and age but they promised us a pension. And they should have e stood by it the increments of going up should have been slower and more advertised, the truth is we were an easy target and they robbed the pension pot. Thank you for all you have done. Your a saint I’m sure your mamas love you for it.

    Like

  57. Thank you David for all you do for us 50’s women …I will be listening on 21/22 July 20 and hopefully we will get justice ☘️🍀🤞Andreina April 57
    Justice for back to 60
    50’s women
    Thank you 🙏

    Like

  58. My friends and I all turn 66 this year,one in May got her pension in January,another in July got here in May and because mine is in Octoberhave to wait until October. Not fair and not right.

    Like

  59. I am one of the women now nearly 64. Have lost my dog sitting business due to Clients holidays being cancelled because of virus and have had no money from the government as I don’t earn a lot. I now also have bronchiectasis leaving me open to infection. I will not get my state
    Pension until I’m 66 despite being told all my working life it would be 60. More crucial than ever for our Pensions to be paid back as we have been told we are in threat risk group. How are we expected to live with no income?

    Like

  60. I’m 62 years old female, still forced to work till I’m 67 can’t even get a free bus pass until I get my pension, I’ve also had 5 mini strokes,i have worked all my life and paid my taxes and insurance thinking when i reached 60 i could get my pension

    Like

    • I’m sure you can get a bus pass, I have many friends who live in London who applied for their free passes at 60 years and have all received a pass. Go online and check or ask someone to check for you I am sure you are entitled. Good Luck Geraldine

      Like

      • The decision on whether you can get a bus pass depends on where you live. In many towns and counties in England it is linked to the new state pension age -now 66. But it is different in London and Merseyside and Wales where you can get a bus pass from the age of 60.

        Like

      • of course it’s in the state’s interest to get everybody carrying these little cards that record and constantly report your location whilst effectively broadcasting your personal info everywhere you go…..

        Like

  61. Thankyou everyone who are involved in fighting for back to sixty, this country has one great big fault , it will help the world & his dog but it won’t it’s own citizens . Stop sending foreign aid , stop paying the eu & stop letting in economic migrants who are only coming here to our country to get free money , money that we women have had to work all of our lives for and pay our tax and insurance . Where else in the world can British people go and get benefits without paying into that country …..NO WHERE ….so how can the British government past and present justify giving our hard earned money away to the rest of the world ….it’s obscene unjust and downright disgusting .

    Like

Leave a reply to justicewillout Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.