THE HORNDEAN figurehead of a pressure group has taken the battle against pension inequality to the streets of a Hampshire town.

Dr Carolyne Jacobs and fellow members of the Solent Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) group took their campaign to Romsey last Friday.

The awareness raising event was part of the WASPI National Day of Local Action which involved more than 140 groups around the UK.

Members set up a stall in the town centre, handed out flyers and talked to shoppers about their campaign following a minute’s silence at 11am to remember those affected by the Manchester bombing.

WASPI is fighting for the 3.5million women adversely affected by changes to the State Pension Age (SPA) in 1995 and 2011.

Many women born in the 1950s were unaware the Government agreed in 1995 to increase the SPA for women from 60 to 65 by 2020 so it would be the same for both sexes.

In 2011 they decided to accelerate the increase, bringing the SPA for both ages to 66 by 2020, but WASPI has argued that the speed and lack of notice has left many with no time to make financial arrangements.

WASPI wants the Government to provide transitional or compensation payments as many women are suffering severe financial hardship as a result.

Dr Jacobs and Shelagh Simmons, joint co-ordinators of the Solent WASPI group, said they were pleased with the response of their awareness event.”

They said: “We still find women who are totally unaware that the SPA is no longer 60 and we met some on Friday in Romsey.

“WASPI agrees with the equalisation of the SPA but we take issue with the mismanagement of the process, which has caused great distress and hardship.”

The group has also called on General Election candidates to show their support by signing the WASPI pledge. Candidates who sign will “pledge to support WASPI and to work in Parliament to find a solution for the women affected” if they are elected.

The Solent WASPI Roll of Honour includes Labour hopefuls Sheena King and Rohit Dasgupta, currently the only candidates from the Meon Valley and East Hampshire contests who have signed the pledge.