Women take state pension fight to UK Government

A petition demanding the UK Government reduces the state pension age for women born in the 1950s has been delivered to Westminster after gaining hundreds of Rutherglen signatures.

The 1995 Pensions Act legislated to bring the state pension age for women in line with the age for men over two decades, but the 2011 Pensions Act rapidly accelerated the original timetable and the 2.6 million women affected by the changes – born in the 1950s – were not informed.

The UK Government has so far refused to act, claiming that transitional measures would cost £30bn. But research commissioned by the SNP has found that it would cost significantly less at £8bn.

Local Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaigners have gathered hundreds of signatures in support of their petition.

It was presented in the House of Commons chamber by Margaret Ferrier, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, last Tuesday, October 11, before being sent with dozens of others from across the UK to the Westminster Government for a formal response.

Ms Ferrier said: “Rutherglen and Cambuslang’s WASPI campaigners have every right to be upset and angry with the UK Government on this issue. When pension changes occur, people should be given the right amount of time to adjust their pension plans. Many of these women have been given little or no notice.

“Approximately 2.6 million women have been hit by rapid rises to their state pension age – something which is grossly unfair. Yes, the state pension age should be equalised, but it needs to be done in a fairer way. These women have paid national insurance contributions and are due their pensions.”