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<p>There are no current plans to meet with representatives of the Women Against State
Pension Inequality campaign in the immediate future.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>This
matter has been comprehensively debated on many occasions in Parliament, most recently
in a Westminster Hall Debate on 5th July 2017 in which I stated I will be meeting
the all-party parliamentary group when it is reformed.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In
addition to the substantive debate on this issue, previous Ministers have met with
WASPI representatives to discuss the effect of the 1995 and 2011 changes to women’s
State Pension age. Baroness Ros Altmann and Shailesh Vara MP met with representatives
of the WASPI group on 29th June 2016 to listen to their concerns.</p><p> </p><p>This
issue was also raised in a meeting on 23 November 2016 between the former Secretary
of State Damian Green, the then Minister for Pensions Richard Harrington MP and representatives
from the relevant All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).</p><p> </p><p>Following these
meetings and debates, the government maintains the view that the 1995 and 2011 changes
to State Pension age were necessary. We remain very clear that we will make no further
changes to the State Pension age or pay financial redress in lieu of pension. Therefore
the government believes that there is no value for either party in future meetings
with representatives from the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>A key priority for Government remains supporting individuals aged 50
years and over to return to and remain in the labour market, and tackling the barriers
to them doing so. Since 2016 much work has been done to provide support back into
employment, with 1.2 million over 65’s now in employment. In addition there is training
and retraining, in many ways, as well as investment in lifelong learning and returnship
schemes. We have also extended our network of older claimant champions to all 34 Jobcentre
Plus districts to provide best practice and support to work coaches.</p>
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