MPs, the Backto60 campaign and Unison have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, urging him to reconsider the government’s decision and enact a temporary special measure to provide restitution to women born in the 1950s.

The Backto60 movement has been campaigning on behalf of the 3.8 million women affected by the proposed increase of the state pension age from 60 to 66 and the way it was communicated to those affected.

However, its attempts to reverse state pension equalisation and provide reparations to those affected have been repeatedly rebuffed by the government.

The letter, penned by Anna McMorrin MP, Jackie Jones MEP, Backto60 campaign director Joanne Welch and Unison national secretary Gloria Mills, stated that the issue had “gone on far too long” and asked Johnson to commit government to “returning to the issue and deliver a fast and fair resolution”.

They argued that many 1950s-born women rely on their state pension and have “kept their side of the agreement with the state” by contributing throughout their lives with the belief they could depend on their state pension.

The letter continued: “The changes have been concluded in bad faith. Now, many women affected so late into their lives have been forced to change their working and retirement plans at such short notice.

“This has caused a great ordeal for so many of the 3.8 million women this policy has impacted.”

The writers implored Johnson to engage a temporary special measure and reconsider its decision on the Early Day Motion signed by 177 MPs, as the “state has a responsibility to ensure a decent standard of living” for those approaching retirement.

MP for Cardiff North, Anna McMorrin added: "The state pension changes have disrupted the lives of millions of women born in the 1950s.

“Many have had to change their working and retirement plans so late in life, causing great upheaval.

“The government should do the right thing and provide these women with the restitution they deserve.”

A judicial review into the issue took place in early June 2019, but the decision of which is yet to be made public.

The government had estimated that it would cost a total of £181.4bn to reverse the state pension age for women back to 60 between now and 2025/26.

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