LOCAL MP Liz Saville Roberts teamed up with WASPI campaigners from Gwynedd today to support women who have been left worse off by pension changes.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP, Mrs Saville Roberts, joined campaigners at a rally outside Parliament today (Wednesday) to protest reforms to the state pension that affect some women born in the 1950s as part of the move to equalise pension ages for men and women to 65.

However, many were not warned that it would affect them, so were left worse off and with little time to prepare for it.

Mrs Saville Roberts MP said: “We congratulate WASPI on their highly effective campaign, particularly all the women from our Arfon and Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituencies who have contacted myself and my Arfon MP colleague, Hywel Williams, or come to our surgeries.

“Women across the UK have been hit hard by the changes. To the surprise and dismay of many of them, the plans that they had made have been disrupted.”

“Often, they face unemployment, with little hope of getting a job - a bleak life on benefits at a time when they should be enjoying the fruits of their long years of work.

“The Government say that they are making these changes in response to the increase in life expectancy. As one woman who contacted us recently said; ‘that’s all right then-it’s our fault for living longer.

“Women in Wales will be hit particularly hard by the changes. Life expectancy is generally lower in Wales than in England; there is a difference of up to 11 years.

“Welsh women and Welsh men therefore have less opportunity to enjoy their retirement. Incomes in Wales are low, so they have already suffered a disproportionate disadvantage. There are fewer job opportunities and jobs are more insecure, particularly in some constituencies.”

“The equal treatment of women and men in respect of the state pension is good, but the way in which the Government have handled the matter is not. In fact, it is a disgrace.”