Portsmouth Waspi pension campaigners look to recruit more supporters

CAMPAIGNERS in Portsmouth are reaching out for more supporters with the help of a city councillor and MP.

The Solent Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) supporters' group will be hosting another coffee and information morning with Labour Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan in a bid to raise awareness of their cause.

Shelagh Simmons, one of the co-ordinators of the Solent Waspi Supporters' Group, explained why people should get involved. She said: 'There are several thousand women in Portsmouth South affected by the unfair implementation of state pension age rises for women born in the 1950s.

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'Stephen is a staunch supporter of our campaign and we are very grateful for his practical help in once again hosting this event.  Many women have been forced to work for longer than they planned, or to take unsuitable jobs even when they have health issues, because they are not getting their state pension when expected.

'They may not be able to attend our week day events because they are working, so we hope this Saturday coffee morning will give them the opportunity to come along for information about our campaign.

'With former Pensions Minister Ros Altmann's revelations that any attempts to raise the issue with Government were ignored, a recent pensions groups' protest outside Westminster and increasing media coverage, the campaign's profile is growing. WASPI women are not going away.

'If you are affected by this issue, please do join us on November 3 for coffee and cake and to find out what you can do to get involved.'

The event will take place at Mr Morgan's constituency office in Albert Road on November 3 between 10am and midday.