Norfolk women tell lawmakers to reverse decision on pensions

A group of 37 women, who are part of the Pension Action in Norfolk group which is part of the national Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign) movement, joined campaigners from across the country to urge the government to re-think the rise to the state pension age.

The group PAIN was set up last year to raise awareness of how women born in the 1950s face having their pensions delayed by up to six years, and how little time they have been given to prepare for this.

A nationwide choir has been formed, and performed in Westminster, before the campaigners went into the Houses of Parliament to lobby their MPs.

Lynn Nicholls, 62, who has been hit by the change is one of the founders of the Norfolk group, and said they had been raising awareness of the changes across Norfolk towns.

She said they had been supported by a variety of people, including many men and young people. The group has collected more than 1,300 signatures from people supporting their cause.

Susan Bissmire, another founder of PAIN, said she did not like to see injustice, and they felt they had to do something.

Wearing sashes and holding a banner saying who they were, the women gathered near parliament.

The 37 women from Norfolk also carried cards from many others who would have liked to be there, but could not make it for a variety of reasons, including because they could not afford the fare to the capital, were looking after grandchildren or elderly parents or who were working.

Pat Warwick, 62, said that it proved that many women were saving the state a fortune through the voluntary work they did. She said that if women were working for longer, voluntary work would be gone and it would have a knock on effect.

Debbie De Spon, Lorraine Wright and Annette James, who are also founding members of the group, also travelled to London.

To get in touch with Pension Action In Norfolk, find the group on Facebook or email pensionactioninnorfolk@yahoo.co.uk