WASPI campaigners from Carmarthenshire were given the backing of Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards when they joined a rally for justice in London.

Women from across west Wales, all born in the 1950s, joined the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign outside Parliament on Wednesday, March 9.

They were calling for compensation after the Government increased the state pension age, which pushed many women's retirement age up from 60 to 66.

Nearly four million women were affected by the change, and many say they had insufficent warning, so could not make plans for the change in the finances.

Many took wrong financial decisions, such as early retirement, because they expected to get income from the state on turning 60, only to be told they would have to wait.

Jonathan Edwards MP said:  “I have great admiration for the WASPI women who have campaigned over many years for compensation, having lost up to six years' state pension without adequate notice.

"Their commitment to the cause is unquestionable, especially seeing as this week also sees their CrowdJustice interim target being reached of £100,000 to allow them to take their judicial review case to court.

"It was a pleasure to meet with the group from Wales today to support their case and I will continue to make representations in parliament whenever possible on their behalf.

"It is vital that we all play our part in ensuring that the government cannot get away with social injustice and the WASPI campaign is a prime example of a group having the courage and tenacity to keep going and not give up.

"I look forward to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman competing their Stage 3 investigation.

"I hope the UK Government will fully respect the findings of the investigation and bring forward a scheme which awards adequate compensation.” 

South Wales Guardian: The campaigners are joined by Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards.The campaigners are joined by Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards. (Image: Jonathan Edwards)

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions commented: "The government decided over 25 years ago it was going to make the State Pension age the same for men and women.

"Both the High Court and Court of Appeal have supported the actions of the DWP under successive governments, dating back to 1995, and the Supreme Court refused the claimants permission to appeal."