ISLE of Wight WASPI women have been out meeting some of the Island's prospective parliamentary candidates.

Solent WASPI co-ordinator Shelagh Simmons said they have warmly welcomed the Labour Party’s announcement to pledge £58 billion to women who were denied their state pension, as the 'first tangible offer' from any party.

Solent Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) said they were pleased to see a commitment from Labour to address the financial injustice faced by 3.8 million 1950s-born women who did not receive fair notice of changes to their state pension age.

Around 10,500 Isle of Wight women are affected.

WASPI has been working with all political parties for four years to raise awareness of the issue.

During the General Election campaign, Solent WASPI is asking local candidates from all parties to pledge their support.

Ms Simmons said: "We have been delighted with the positive response from those on the Island, including Labour’s Richard Quigley and Independent Karl Love.”

The past week has seen most political parties launch manifestos which include commitments to WASPI women. The Green Party promised the WASPIs would be the first tranche of people to receive the party's proposed Universal Basic Income (UBI).

During a visit to the Island, Green Party member of the House of Lords, Jenny Jones, and local candidate, Vix Lowthion, met with WASPI members Di Hollander and Rebecca Hardie to discuss the issue and offer their support.

Ms Simmons said: "It is disappointing the Conservative Party manifesto does not include any proposals that would give hope to 1950s women.

"Despite that, we know we have support within the party. During the last Parliament, Bob Seely was among those who spoke in parliamentary debates. He raised the issue of the Island’s WASPI women on several occasions and we are very grateful for that.

“When campaigning for the party leadership, Boris Johnson promised to bring 'fresh vigour' and 'new eyes' to the WASPI issue, but speaking on BBC’s Question Time last Friday, he refused to offer anything except sympathy to the eight per cent of the electorate affected by this injustice.

"That is a matter of deep regret, but our campaign is strong, and we are not going away.

"The forthcoming General Election gives us an opportunity to engage with all our candidates and we have been hugely encouraged by the response received so far.”