WOMEN born in the 1950s who will be affected by changes to the state pension age gathered in Newport to discuss the next steps for the campaign against the plans.

In 2011 the UK Government announced the age at which women can claim their state pension will increase at a faster rate than previously planned. As a result, up to 3.1 million women, including around 9,100 in Newport, born in the 1950s will have to work longer than expected before they are able to claim their pension.

Newport East MP Jessica Morden has campaigned for the changes to be rolled back, and hosted an event discussing the issue at St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church Hall in Cromwell Road on Saturday, July 14, which was attended by more than 60 women.

The Labour MP said: “It’s so positive to see so many women from right across Newport coming together to update and discuss how the campaign is going and to plan our next steps from here.

"Despite the unsympathetic government, the campaign has been dogged in its campaign to achieve fair transitional arrangements and we will continue to speak out for those affected."

Swansea East MP and deputy leader of Welsh Labour Carolyn Harris, who is also the chairwoman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality, was guest speaker at the event.

She said: "Saturday was a wonderful opportunity to meet with so many women from across Newport who have been affected by the changes to the state pension age."

Labour Newport AMs John Griffiths and Jayne Bryant also attended the event to show their support for the campaign.