News

Pembrokeshire women continue to demand justice over state pension scandal

Published

12 months ago

July 10, 2025

Campaigners call for mediation, not litigation, after Westminster debate

PEMBROKESHIRE women born in the 1950s say they have been left “ignored, impoverished and discriminated against” by successive governments, as calls grow for urgent mediation with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over the state pension age scandal.

Campaigners from the local Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West 1950s women’s group said they were encouraged by the outcome of a backbench debate held in Westminster last week (July 3), where MPs across parties backed calls for dialogue and redress.

The group has been vocal for over a decade, claiming that thousands of women in west Wales were never properly informed that their state pension age had risen from 60 to 66 – leaving many struggling to survive after retiring or being forced out of work early.

Pembrokeshire voices ‘ignored’

Campaign organiser Jackie Gilderdale said local women had directly appealed to both Pembrokeshire MPs to speak at the debate. While Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake responded and gave a powerful speech in support, Labour MP Henry Tufnell failed to reply to the request.

In Parliament, Mr Lake said: “It is outrageous that the Government is dismissing outright the ombudsman’s findings. The women affected are pragmatic – they are willing to talk. Why force them into long, drawn-out legal battles? Justice is already overdue.”

He added that over 300,000 women had died waiting for redress, equivalent to “one woman dying every 12 minutes.”

A decade of delay

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found in 2024 that the DWP had committed maladministration in failing to inform women properly about the pension changes. But campaigners say the investigation process was deeply flawed, having ignored key evidence and voices from Welsh groups.

Jackie Gilderdale, who has helped hundreds of women locally, said: “One woman in our group, who worked for Hywel Dda Health Board, planned her retirement at 60. She had no idea the pension age had changed until I met her in 2018. She had to scrap her plans to care for her husband and was left financially devastated.”

Campaigners argue that women born in the 1950s were already disadvantaged throughout their working lives – often earning less than men, receiving lower private pensions, and taking time off to care for children without support.

No excuse for delay

During the debate, MP Rebecca Long Bailey said the decision to raise the pension age “was dumped on women overnight,” with no proper notice or support. She accused the Government of creating one of the worst social injustices in recent memory.

Campaign groups such as WASPI and 1950s Women of Wales have called for a mediation-based resolution, including early neutral evaluation and direct dialogue with ministers, instead of further court action.

They argue that redress must reflect both financial harm and gender discrimination, with proposals including an initial lump sum and further staged payments over five years.

The Treasury, campaigners point out, has saved over £181 billion through raising the pension age, and over £81 billion remains in the National Insurance Fund.

A Pembrokeshire scandal

Jackie Gilderdale added: “Pembrokeshire women have been badly let down. We were asked to follow due process – we did. We were told to wait for the ombudsman – we did. But the outcome has been ignored.

“We are calling for a full public inquiry and mediation now. The time for delays is over. This isn’t just about backpay – it’s about dignity, equality, and justice for thousands of women across west Wales.”

The Herald understands that campaigners will now seek to meet with Pembrokeshire’s MPs again to demand a formal response and renewed support for mediation.

News

Former West Wales MS says Starmer resignation felt ‘increasingly inevitable’

Published

5 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Samuel Kurtz says public frustration has grown after two years of Labour controversies and policy decisions

FORMER West Wales MS Samuel Kurtz has said Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation felt “increasingly inevitable” after months of controversy and public frustration.

The Welsh Conservative said he watched the Prime Minister’s Downing Street statement with “genuine frustration”, adding that he wanted the UK to be respected regardless of which party was in government.

Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and Labour leader, just 12 days before the second anniversary of Labour’s 2024 general election victory.

Mr Kurtz said: “As a British citizen, I sighed genuine frustration while watching this morning. Whatever the political colour of the Government, I want our country to be respected at home and on the international stage.

“But, in truth, this moment has felt increasingly inevitable as the weeks turned into months.”

He pointed to a series of controversies and policy decisions, including the Lord Alli gifts row, winter fuel allowance cuts, the Family Farm Tax, rising National Insurance, defence spending and domestic energy production.

Mr Kurtz said people “simply feel worse off”, adding that confidence in the economy remained low.

He said: “A Government should ultimately be judged on whether life is getting better for the people it serves.

“After two years marked by the controversies and a series of damaging policy decisions mentioned above, it’s difficult to argue this Government has passed that test.”

Mr Kurtz also questioned what would happen next, asking whether Labour would see an “Andy Burnham coronation”, whether Wes Streeting could build enough support, or whether an outsider could emerge.

He added that he would be watching the leadership contest “from the sidelines with interest”.

Labour is expected to open nominations for a new leader on July 9, with Starmer remaining in office until his successor is chosen.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

11 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

News

Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire

Published

51 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.

Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.

The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.

The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.

On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.

Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.

Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.