Women make their voices heard over pensions in Portsmouth

14/2/2017 (EP)

A protest took place in Portsmouth on Valentine's Day against Â£9m cuts being proposed by Portsmouth City Council.
The three council trade unions, Unison, Unite and GMB are working together to oppose the budget cuts.

Pictured is: Solent Waspi were also at the protest.

Picture: Sarah Standing (170257-6899) PPP-170214-150253001 — 14/2/2017 (EP) A protest took place in Portsmouth on Valentine's Day against Â£9m cuts being proposed by Portsmouth City Council. The three council trade unions, Unison, Unite and GMB are working together to oppose the budget cuts. Pictured is: Solent Waspi were also at the protest. Picture: Sarah Standing (170257-6899) PPP-170214-150253001

The group from Solent Waspi, which stands for Women Against State Pension Inequality, were at Guildhall Square, in Portsmouth, on Tuesday.

They were speaking out against the government’s decision to increase the age in which some women receive their pension.

It means some could have to wait up to six years longer for their cash, potentially losing out on up to £45,000.

The group wanted Portsmouth City Council to agree to a motion which would see women affected by the pension age change helped financially.

Shelagh Simmons, joint area co-ordinator for Solent Waspi, said: ‘We are all women who have been affected by this government ruling. We have been paying into our pension so should be paid it.’

Councillor Donna Jones, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said she would be happy to help the women with their campaign by writing a letter to government and shared their plight.

But, she said it was not a Portsmouth City Council matter, and was not prepared to waste public money.