‘Fight is not over’ as Waspi women lose High Court case
WASPI women in Glasgow have told the Government “the fight is not over” after they lost a court case over the increasing of their pension age.
Dozens gathered at the Mary Barbour statue in Govan to await the ruling from the High Court in London.
When the news of the defeat came there was shock, disappointment and anger as the women vowed to continue their struggle.
Rosie Dickson, from WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) Glasgow and Lanarkshire, said they will continue to fight for women to get the money they are due.
She said: “This is only one arrow in our weaponry for the fight. It is an injustice as well as an inequality.
“This is money that is coming out of our pockets. We won’t stand for it We will continue the fight. The fight is not over. This is not the end.”
The High Court ruled against the women.
Lord Justice Irwin and Mrs Justice Whipple said: “The court was saddened by the stories contained in the claimants’ evidence.
“But the court’s role was limited. There was no basis for concluding that the policy choices reflected in the legislation were not open to government. In any event they were approved by Parliament.
“The wider issues raised by the claimants about whether the choices were right or wrong or good or bad were not for the court. They were for members of the public and their elected representatives.”
At the Mary Barbour statue, women were angry.
Anne Potter, 65, from Burnside, said: “There was always a possibility this would happen. We will keep campaigning. We are not going away. I am still having to work five years after I should have received my pension. It won’t be paid until I’m 66 when I thought and planned for it being 60. It is an injustice.
“I’ve worked since I was 16 and contributed and I’m still paying National Insurance.”
Another told of the severe financial consequences the ruling has had on her.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said she is now having to sell her house.
She said: “Tomorrow I’m going to the estate agents to put my house on the market.
“I need to downsize and use the equity to live on because I have four years until I get my pension.
“And by the time I get it, I will have used up the money from the house sale. I worked for 44 years. It would be hard to find a job now.
“I am lucky, I have a house to sell. Some people have nothing.”