AMMANFORD campaigners born in the 1950s have issued a welcome to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's findings of maladministration against the Department of Work and Pensions and called for a fast and fair solution.

The Ombudsman ruled that the Department was guilty of maladministration from 2004 onwards when it failed to contact 1950s born women in person to inform them of the changes to State Pension age after its own research revealed that the majority of women didn't know their State Pension age had changed despite a publicity campaign.

Susan Hughes of Ammanford WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) group said: "We are pleased after a long and thorough investigation the Ombudsman has found that maladministration took place when we were not properly notified of the changes to our State Pension Age. This is a very welcome step in the right direction.

"We hope that the Ombudsman will now complete the next stage and decide an injustice has taken place that deserves compensation.

"We are looking for a fast and fair solution.

Over the past two years many women in Ammanford have lodged complaints with the help of the Waspi members.

Babs Bush of Ammanford said: "I had no notice at all that my State Pension age had changed, I found out after hearing about it through a Waspi member that I would have to work an extra six years before I can retire, this has had a huge impact on my health and my family".

Carmarthenshire MP, Jonathan Edwards, has called on the British Government to financially compensate women born in the 1950s affected by the change of pension age. In a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mr Edwards calls for full compensation for the pension these women have lost.

Mr Edwards said: “The women in my constituency adversely affected by this error by the British Government number in the thousands. The findings of this report clearly show fault on the part of the British Government, as has long been maintained by the Waspi campaign.

“I look forward to being updated on what plans the UK Government now has to compensate these women. They are owed a formal apology for the distress and difficulty they have endured, and full financial compensation for their lost pension years.

"I would like to congratulate the WASPI campaigners for this huge victory for their cause”