I appeared on Wyn Thomas's Radio Tircoed show on 3rd August to discuss many topics such as the Kid's Lunch Club, children's funeral fund, state pension inequality and rail electrification. You can listen to my interview here: … [Read more...]
Westminster Hall debate – State pension age for women
Click fullscreen for better viewing. … [Read more...]
Carolyn Harris’ journey from working as a barmaid and dinner lady to serving as a shadow minister
If you met Carolyn Harris when she was working as a barmaid or a dinner lady or selling shoes you might not expect she would one day stand at the despatch box of the House of Commons as a Shadow Home Office minister. But this daughter of a bus driver who now campaigns alongside Diane Abbott has had a passion for politics since the age of eight when she would knock on a councillor’s door and ask … [Read more...]
WASPI/IWD Protest
On Wednesday 8th March more than 7,000 people descended on Westminster to protest the lack of solutions for 1950s women in the Spring Budget. My office organised for a bus to travel from Swansea to Westminster for the protest, supported by USDAW, Unison and Swansea Labour. We managed to see quite a few Welsh groups there, including Bridgend and Valleys, Wales and West, Pembrokeshire and … [Read more...]
Spring Budget
Daily Politics Wales 5th March 2017 With the Spring Budget announced tomorrow I just thought it would be a good opportunity to tell you how important a budget this is to me. Not only are Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and the Swansea Bay City Deal to be considered, but also WASPI and my Children's Funeral Fund campaign. Fingers, toes and everything crossed for tomorrow! … [Read more...]
St David’s Day debate
Carolyn Harris (Swansea East) (Lab) Today I will talk about two issues that I have raised since I came to this place—I have also raised them in Wales—and the reaction to those campaigns: they are the Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign, and children’s funerals. I call upon the Government to stop burying their heads in the sand and do the right thing by all WASPI women. Today I am … [Read more...]
My first (of many) blog posts
Well, I’ve set myself the task of writing a weekly blog this year but I’m yet to find the time to do it! Like most, I took some time out over Christmas to spend time with my family and recharge my batteries before getting back into full swing in Parliament. My days have been full of debates in the chamber, delegated legislation for the shadow Home Office and meetings for my various campaigns. I … [Read more...]
State Pension: Working-class Women
Carolyn Harris (Swansea East) (Lab) I thank you, Mr Flello, for your excellent chairmanship—very stern, but firm. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central (Chi Onwurah) for securing this vital debate, which is so essential for securing a dignified retirement for some 2.5 million women. Her speech was factual, relevant and presented the arguments succinctly. I also … [Read more...]
Pension Schemes Bill [Lords]
Carolyn Harris The Minister, in a private conversation, said that I would find it difficult to mention this subject, but he has kindly given me an opening. We have to learn lessons from the experience of the WASPI women—the Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign—and we cannot go forward and experience the same inability to engage as we are experiencing now, so this scheme must ensure … [Read more...]
Coffee morning 18th February
On Saturday 18th February at 10am I will be holding a coffee morning in Jersey Park Pavilion. The aim of the meeting is to finalise numbers for our journey to the state pension inequality protest outside Westminster on 8th March. Tea, coffee and cake will be available! If you would like to attend the trip to London on 8th March but cannot make this coffee morning please contact … [Read more...]
