SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has criticized the High Court ruling over women’s pension changes.
The failure to award compensation after the pension age for women rose to 60-65, in line with men- and is set to rise to 67 by 2020.
The decision failed to consider the social implications and other varying factors surrounding women’s pay.
The Foyle MLA: “The SDLP have previously campaigned for compensation ever since the introduction of this discriminatory change in state pension.
“The lack of foresight given prior to this implementation was acknowledged by the decision to grant a judicial review.
“Today’s ruling is in contradiction to that acknowledgement and will no doubt come as a massive shock and disappointment for many- not least the four million women who will be affected by this change.
“The financial hardship forced upon many women by this change has been exacerbated by Welfare Reform and the failure to consider a period of preparation.
“No harder will this impact be felt than places like the North- especially Derry.
“A city built on the foundations of our working women; those who put in long hours on poor wages, raised their children and dutifully paid into their pensions all their working lives.
“Those are the women who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase in the state pension age.”
He added: “Campaigners aren’t calling for a retraction of the pension change- they simply want to bridge the pension gap, for this transition to be done as fairly and smoothly as possible.
“Financial mitigation is the only logical next step to ensure that.
“The gasps in court today are a marker that this case will not go away quietly, not without a fight.
“And that fight needs to now be taken to the Supreme Court.”
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