Women in march over changes to pensions
WOMEN from across the Valleys marched on Cardiff as part of ongoing protests about changes to the state pension.
The changes, which mean women are getting their pensions later, have affected 200,000 women in Wales born in the 1950s.
The most high-profile campaign group is the Waspi group, and they were joined by hundreds of women at the Aneurin Bevan statue on Queen Street on March 8.
Campaigners say the changes are unfair and that they have meant women having to work up to six years longer, remortgage their homes or in some cases even lose their homes.
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood spoke at the rally and urged campaigners to “never give up”.
The Rhondda AM said: “The numerous pension ministers you have dealt with over the course of this campaign no doubt hoped you would all quietly go away after slamming the door in your face. They were all wrong to write off such strongminded women.
“Each and every pensions minister in Westminster have underestimated your tenacity, your camaraderie and your determination to seek justice.
“You should all be pleased for the way you have conducted this campaign; with dignity and a steely resolve.
“Plaid Cymru has been honoured to support you and we will continue to support you until the right thing is done by you all.
“This support from Plaid Cymru extends from all levels of the party; at local government, Assembly level and in Westminster where the fight is waged on your behalf by our team of MPs and staff.
“On a day when we come together to celebrate International Women’s Day and a year in which we mark the centenary of votes being given to women for the first time in the UK, making our voice heard loud and clear is just as important now.
“Keep fighting, never give up.”
The Waspi campaign was launched after the Westminster Government in 2011 brought forward plans to equalise the state pension between men and women.
Alison Williams from Pontypridd was born in 1956.
She worked for a local authority for 40 years and said she was never informed that she would not receive her state pension when she turned 60.
“I knew nothing about the changes until I had one of my pensions come through from work and it said on that I would not receive my pension until 66. I look after my husband who has MS. I have been the sole bread winner for the last 20 years but I thought I would be retiring at 60.
“His condition is a deteriorating condition and now I have to work until I’m 66.”