AYRSHIRE Women Against State Pension Inequalities (WASPI) will be in Cumnock on Tuesday, July 25 to help 1950s born women affected by the changes to their state pension age.

Ann Fraser, Ayrshire WASPI coordinator will be in Cumnock Library from 11am to 12pm to assist in writing letters of complaint to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The group aim to keep up the pressure on the DWP who will be setting up a dedicated team in October to investigate the hundreds of complaint letters they have already received. Membership of Ayrshire WASPI swelled following a statement in Parliament by Conservative pensions minister Guy Opperman. The MP was heckled for suggesting that women over the age of 60 facing financial hardship could start an apprenticeship.

A spokesperson for Ayrshire WASPI said: “Following the ludicrous statement by Guy Opperman, at the Westminster briefing on Wednesday, July 6, the membership of the campaigning group has increased by around 140 women in 48 hours.

Many of the WASPI women completed apprenticeships in the early 70s and are furiously fighting the Department of Work and Pensions for a fair transition to state pension age for all 1950`s born women.”

For information contact ayrshirewaspi@gmail.com