Timing

Tuesday 29th September: 10:00 - 11:00

Chair

Dr Daniella Jenkins, Executive Director WBG

Speakers

Sarah Russell MP
Rachel Grocott, CEO Pregnant then Screwed
Morgan Vine, Director of Policy, Grants and Influencing Independent Age

Topic

From Pay to Pensions: Tackling Women's Lifetime Economic Inequality

Women retire with significantly less pension wealth than men, reflecting inequalities experienced throughout their lives - from unequal pay and unpaid care to insecure work. Join WBG to discuss how we can build a pensions system that delivers financial security for all and closes the gender pensions gap.

About Womens Budget Group

The UK Women’s Budget Group (WBG) is the UK’s only think tank focused on exploring the economy through a gender-equal lens. We provide evidence and analysis on women’s economic position and propose policy alternatives for a gender-equal economy. We act as a link between academia, the women’s voluntary sector and progressive economic think tanks.

Speaker bios

Dr Daniella Jenkins, Executive Director WBG

Dr Daniella Jenkins joined WBG from the University of Bristol, where she led pioneering research at the intersection of feminism, economic policy, and design. Her PhD was in designing feminist pensions policy. Prior to her academic career, Daniella worked across the public and financial sectors, leading policy development and large-scale change programmes. She is committed to advancing gender equality and previously served as the first Executive Director of The WOW Foundation, a women’s advocacy charity. Alongside her professional roles, Daniella is a parent and carer.

Sarah Russell MP

Sarah was elected in July 2024 as the first Labour MP to represent the constituency of Congleton in Cheshire East since it was created in 1983. Sarah has dedicated her life to public service, having spent thirteen years as an employment lawyer, as well as time spent as Manchester City councillor. The insight and experience that working alongside those people gave her was second to none, and Sarah is working hard to make sure that her time in Parliament is also spent trying to make life easier for vulnerable people. Sarah sits on the Justice Select Committee and chairs several APPGs including on Access to Justice and on Flexible and Family Friendly Working.

Rachel Grocott, CEO Pregnant then Screwed

As the CEO of Pregnant Then Screwed, Rachel spearheads the UK’s fight against the motherhood penalty, advocating for legislative reform and workplace equality. She is a feminist campaigner and charity leader with over 20 years of experience driving systemic change. Rachel joined Pregnant Then Screwed in May 2025 after spending the last twenty years in a variety of communications, campaigning, fundraising and leadership roles at charities both large and small. Pregnant Then Screwed's work confronts the reality that too many families are still failed by systems meant to support them, systems that instead embed unfairness and disadvantage across a lifetime; this is especially true for those with marginalised identities. Rachel balances working life with a young family, a very energetic rescue dog and regular Zumba classes.

Morgan Vine, Director of Policy, Grants and Influencing Independent Age

Morgan Vine is the Director of Policy, Grants and Influencing at Independent Age, leading activity to tackle poverty in later life across the nations. During her career Morgan has amplified the voices of people affected by different issues and worked to improve policy and legislation on topics such as social security, employment, health, social care and accessibility. Before joining Independent Age, Morgan worked for multiple national charities including Age UK, RNIB, Parkinson’s UK and Versus Arthritis. Alongside this, she has played a key role in multiple coalitions including being a member of the steering group of the UK Commission on Bereavement and was a former Chair of the Continuing Healthcare Alliance and the Prescription Charges Coalition. Morgan is also Vice Chair of Age UK Bromley and Greenwich and a Trustee for both the Centre for Mental Health and National Energy Action.