A CAMPAIGN group in Stroud protesting ‘unfair and unjust’ changes to the pension age for women will take their fight to London next month.

Members of Gloucestershire and Cotswold Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) will join thousands of other demonstrators at a national march in the capital on Wednesday, March 8.

A minibus has been laid on to pick up women from Stroud and Cirencester to take them to the protest at the Houses of Parliament, which takes place at 2pm.

Members of the Stroud group, which totals 15, are inviting women and men of all ages to join them to speak out on the issue.

Organiser Lis Parker said: “We will be joining this national demonstration to make our presence known. This will be a great opportunity to take part and get involved in the WASPI campaign.

“We’d love to see new members come along and join us in London. There really are a lot of women suffering across the country because of this injustice.

“One of our friends in Cirencester has been so badly effected she is having to sell her house. We will be speaking up for people like her.

“We’ll also be meeting our Stroud MP Neil Carmichael outside Parliament to discuss the issue further.”

Participants are encouraged to wear the purple and black colours of the WASPI campaign. Sashes will be available to buy at the demonstration.

The national campaign started with five women in 2015 to combat the impact of both the 1995 and 2011 Pension Acts, which included plans to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65.

Members’ main aim is to achieve fair transitional pension arrangements for women born in the 1950s (on or after April 6, 1951). This translates into a bridging pension, to provide an income from age 60 until state pension age.

WASPI have been campaigning in Stroud for months and have distributed over 200 paper petitions. Over 100 MPs, including Mr Carmichael, have supported the campaign.

The return coach journey will cost £12 per person. To book please contact organiser Maud Lomberg on maudlomberg@gmail.com