CAMPAIGNERS who are battling to convince the UK Government to provide compensation following changes to the state pension were out in force during the Sma’ Shot Day parade.

Members of the Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) campaign were joined by Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Gavin Newlands, who has pledged his support to the cause.

Last year, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) ruled the Department for Work and Pensions took too long to inform thousands of women born in the 1950s that the age they could draw their state pension was increasing.

Since then, PHSO has been investigating whether this maladministration resulted in injustice and, if so, how the women involved should be compensated.

Wendy Millar, joint co-ordinator of Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire WASPI, told The Gazette: “Gavin Newlands has been a consistent WASPI supporter. We are delighted that he walked alongside us in the parade to highlight our campaign for fair and fast compensation and show that we are not going away.

“Mr Newlands also recently confirmed his support for justice for the 6,100 1950s-born women in his constituency by signing the WASPI campaign pledge.

“State pension changes resulted in 3.8million 1950s-born women suffering a delay of up to six years in receiving their rightful state pension, with plans for their retirement at 60 in ruins.

“Some had no choice but to sell or re-mortgage their house, whilst others had to continue working, even if suffering ill health.”

Mr Newlands said: “It was great to see the Sma’ Shot parade back again and I was both delighted and proud to walk with the WASPI women.

“It is galling that these 1950s-born women, who we now know were the victims of UK Government maladministration, are still waiting for compensation.”