Campaigners say Welsh Government must do more as pressure mounts on Pensions Minister to enter mediation over ‘historic injustice’

THE 1950s Women of Wales have renewed calls for justice over the state pension age scandal, vowing they “are not going away” until the UK Government addresses what they say is a historic financial injustice that has devastated the lives of thousands of Welsh women.

In a strongly worded statement released this week, the campaign group—representing women from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and across Wales—warned that if the UK Government continues to ignore them, they will pursue mediation through Civil Procedure Rule 2024.

Organiser Jackie Gilderdale questioned whether Labour’s Pensions Minister, Liz Kendall MP, is “afraid of the law”, adding: “What happened to Labour’s debt of honour? We will not go away until this has been resolved.”

The group has the support of Plaid Cymru, who have called for immediate compensation. Speaking in the Senedd earlier this month, Plaid Cymru MS Delyth Jewell said: “Women born in the 1950s were denied their state pensions at the time they needed that support. Many women have died without receiving the money. It is a bitter injustice and they deserve redress.”

Jewell called for formal mediation between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and campaigners, as well as a full public inquiry similar to that recently granted to sub-postmasters.

However, the newly appointed Counsel General, Julie James MS, appeared to dismiss the calls, arguing the courts had ruled the DWP’s actions lawful. The 1950s Women of Wales were stunned by the response.

In a rebuttal, the group pointed out that the High Court and Court of Appeal did not endorse the DWP’s decisions, but merely found the legal challenges out of time. “The most affected stakeholders—1950s women—were never consulted. No impact assessment was carried out. That’s a breach of their rights under the Equality Act 2010 and the European Convention on Human Rights,” the group said.

The women also accuse Labour of misleading Parliament, citing evidence presented to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on February 10, 2025, showing that claims by Liz Kendall, Rachel Reeves, and Keir Starmer about the level of awareness among 1950s-born women were based on a survey of just 40 people. “Parliament was misled,” the group claims.

The group says it is unacceptable that Liz Kendall continues to ignore repeated invitations to meet with them and engage in good-faith mediation. “We are demanding a Temporary Special Measure—an Erskine May-proof mechanism—to deliver financial compensation swiftly,” they said. Their proposal includes:

• An initial lump sum and additional payments over five years
• No tax on compensation
• Benefits unaffected
• Free NHS dental, optician, and prescription services
• Named beneficiaries to inherit unpaid compensation in the event of death

On May 14, Labour’s Rebecca Long-Bailey MP met with Kendall and urged her to find a resolution. While the Pensions Minister reiterated that the government’s position on redress “had not changed”, she said work was ongoing to “learn lessons” and improve future communication.

But campaigners say the time for reflection is over. “It is clear that the APPG believes the incoming Ombudsman is likely to reject the government’s current stance. Rather than wait for another defeat, ministers should come to the table now,” the statement reads.

Susan Suter, one of the women attending the Senedd debate, said her experience is typical of thousands. “I had no notice—no letter—just a colleague telling me my pension age had changed. I’ve worked all my life, paid national insurance all my life. I never thought I’d still be fighting for equality and my pension in my seventies.”

Suter added: “Smoke screens are being used to prevent justice. I support the call for mediation. It is the only just and right way forward.”

The group is now calling on the Welsh Government to act on behalf of Welsh women and use its voice to pressure the UK Government into honouring legal and moral responsibilities under domestic and international law.

“Whether devolved or not,” they concluded, “our Government has a duty to protect our rights and demand accountability. We will not be silenced.”

Photo caption:
Campaigning continues: The 1950s Women of Wales protest outside the Senedd earlier this month (Pic: Supplied)

Transforming Towns programme backs regeneration in Haverfordwest and Pembroke

TOWNS across Pembrokeshire are being backed by more than £10 million of Welsh Government investment as part of efforts to breathe new life into local high streets and boost the economy.

Since 2021, the Welsh Labour Government has provided £10,050,000 to Pembrokeshire County Council through the Transforming Towns programme, funding key regeneration projects including the Western Quayside development in Haverfordwest and the South Quay project in Pembroke.

The latest funding figures were released following the Welsh Government’s announcement last week of a further £31.5 million for the Transforming Towns fund in 2024/25. Councils across Wales can now bid for this year’s funding, with an additional £10.8 million earmarked for four local authorities in South West Wales in 2025/26.

The Transforming Towns programme aims to help local authorities regenerate town centres and create vibrant, sustainable places. Since its launch in 2020, the programme has delivered more than £314 million in grant and loan funding across all 22 Welsh local authorities.

In Pembrokeshire, the funding has already supported the Western Quayside redevelopment at the site of the former Ocky White’s department store in Haverfordwest. The scheme will deliver new restaurant and leisure facilities, complementing the town’s existing retail offering on Bridge Street and Riverside Quay.

The council has also purchased the Riverside Shopping Centre in Haverfordwest for future redevelopment and is progressing the South Quay regeneration project in Pembroke, located beside the iconic Pembroke Castle.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, said: “Transforming Towns isn’t just a snappy slogan or government jargon – it’s real investment going directly to communities who know how best to renew their local areas. Working in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council, we’re helping bring new life to the county’s historic town centres.”

Labour Senedd Member for Mid and West Wales, Joyce Watson MS, added: “Our towns and high streets are the beating hearts of our communities. They provide jobs, attract visitors, and grow the local economy – helping put money back into people’s pockets.”

Pembrokeshire MS and First Minister Eluned Morgan also welcomed the investment: “The £10 million already provided by the Welsh Labour Government has helped transform key local sites. These projects will protect and enhance our towns for future generations to enjoy.”

Green Man urged to drop Irish group amid Gaza comments and terror charge controversy

A MEMBER of Northern Irish rap group Kneecap has been charged with a terrorism offence, prompting a political backlash and renewed calls for the group to be removed from the line-up of Wales’ Green Man Festival.

Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London gig last November. The 27-year-old is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18, charged under anti-terror legislation. The Metropolitan Police said the flag was allegedly displayed “in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion” of support for a proscribed organisation.

The Belfast-based trio, who rap in Irish and are known for their anti-establishment lyrics, strongly deny the charge and say the case amounts to “political policing” aimed at silencing their criticism of the Israeli government’s war in Gaza.

In a statement released on Thursday (May 22), Kneecap said: “14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story — genocide is.”

The group added that they would “vehemently contest” the charge, which they claim is designed to restrict their ability to travel and perform. They said: “This is an attempt to silence artists who dare speak out.”

The charge comes after Kneecap used a recent performance at California’s Coachella festival to denounce Israel’s military action in Gaza. The group has been the subject of controversy in the UK press, with videos circulating from earlier performances that appear to show provocative political statements and banners referencing banned organisations.

While the group has distanced itself from any formal support for Hamas or Hezbollah, it continues to face criticism from campaigners and politicians.

In Wales, Shadow Minister for Culture and North Wales, Gareth Davies MS, has called for the Green Man Festival to remove Kneecap from its 2025 line-up. He previously wrote to the festival’s organisers on April 28, citing concerns over “violent and extremist rhetoric” and warning that platforming the group risks damaging the festival’s reputation.

Following the announcement of the terror charge, Mr Davies renewed his demand, stating: “It’s deeply concerning that Green Man have remained silent even after terror charges have been brought against a member of this group.

“There is a clear pattern of violent and extremist rhetoric associated with Kneecap that has no place at a respected cultural event in Wales. The festival acted quickly in 2019 to remove Meic Stevens over anti-Muslim comments. The same consistency should be applied here.”

Organisers of the Green Man Festival have yet to respond publicly.

Meanwhile, in the Republic of Ireland, Tánaiste Simon Harris declined to comment on the specific case but condemned the actions of Israel in Gaza, stating that recent attacks amounted to a “consistent pattern of war crimes” and that “we’re very much now in the space of genocidal activity”.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism, which reported Kneecap to the police, welcomed the prosecution and called for “the law to be enforced”.

The case is likely to further inflame tensions over freedom of expression, political activism, and public performances in Wales and beyond, particularly as summer festivals prepare to welcome artists with diverse — and often controversial — viewpoints.