1950s women's pension campaigners demand Labour mediation

Pembrokeshire campaigners on behalf of 1950s Women Justice Alliance - a UK wide coalition of Regional Women’s Pension Groups - are calling on Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey to agree to mediation and put Labour’s own evidence-based compensation framework back on the table.

The call follows LabourList’s latest discussion about what ‘Labour values’ actually mean and whether those values translate into meaningful action.

Jackie Gilderdale, local campaigner on behalf of 1950s Women Justice Alliance, said: “Labour tells us its values are about tackling inequality, challenging injustice and ensuring that circumstances do not determine people’s lives.

“Yet when it comes to 3.6 million women who suffered as a direct consequence of government policy and acknowledged maladministration, those values appear to have been put aside.”

“This was not bad luck. These women were failed by the state. The Ombudsman established maladministration. Labour itself recognised the injustice and worked with campaigners and pensions experts to develop an evidence-based compensation framework. That framework should now be restored to the table.

“And there is money in the pot. The National Insurance Fund has substantial resources, while Labour’s proposed compensation framework was designed around payments being made over a fixed period rather than as one unaffordable lump sum. This was a structured and financially responsible approach.

“We are not asking for charity. We are asking Labour to honour the work it undertook in opposition and to resolve an acknowledged injustice.”

The renewed call for mediation follows a response from Jim McMahon OBE MP, Chair of the Labour & Co-operative Party.

In correspondence, Mr McMahon stated that he remains disappointed by the Government’s decision not to offer compensation and confirmed:

He also confirmed that he has raised the issue again with the Minister and requested a debate.

Campaigners say this demonstrates that support for a fair resolution remains within Labour and that the Government should now listen to those voices.

The campaign also points to Labour’s commitment to the Hillsborough Law and its wider emphasis on accountability when the state causes harm.

Jackie continued:“Labour cannot champion accountability for the victims of Hillsborough while asking 1950s women to simply accept an acknowledged injustice without redress.

“Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey now have an opportunity to demonstrate that Labour values are more than a slogan. They can reopen the door to mediation, put Labour’s own evidence-based framework back on the table and work with us towards a fair settlement.

“We have spent more than a decade gathering evidence, campaigning and seeking dialogue. We have no desire for further division or costly litigation. We want mediation, meaningful engagement and justice.”

After more than a decade of campaigning, the women affected are asking a simple question - if Labour values mean fairness, justice, equality and accountability and there is a financially structured way forward; why is this injustice still being left unresolved

“Labour has the evidence. Labour has the framework. There is money in the pot. What is missing is the political will,” added Jackie.