Cumbernauld woman fights pension plan

She first raised the issue of changes to women’s pension rights at a special pensions surgery held earlier this year by Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East MP Gregg McClymont, who is shadow pensions manager.

Now Mrs Warden intends to circulate her petition among unions such as UNISON who have called for an Independent Commission to be established to ensure that changes to State Pension age are fair in the future and reflect not only longevity but also the effect on members of working longer.

She said: “Women who have already arranged their working lives to retire fairly at age 60 are being denied their right: I refer to an age group of women who are being coldly swept aside by this government.

“We in the category should not be denied our right to retire at that date. The length of time until our normal retirement age is too short to allow alternative arrangements in our personal circumstances. Most of us have worked well over the government’s threshold of 30 years.”

Gregg McClymont said: “These reforms are hugely unfair for the 1100 women in their 50s in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East who are affected. The Government have given no time or opportunity for people to adjust to changes in the pension age.

“Labour MPs fought long and hard against these unfair changes and I supported a number of amendments which would have allowed more time for people to prepare for their retirement.’’