An Enfield woman who is struggling as a result of the speed at which the increase to women’s pension age was implemented has spoken of her hardship.

On Wednesday December 13 when a motion for a non-means tested ‘bridging’ pension was introduced in parliament, the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, joined others in handing a petition with more than 500,000 signatures to Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street.

If the motion is passed women born on or after April 6, 1950, may be given a temporary pension until they reach State Pension Age.

Campaign group Women Against State Pension Inequality do not oppose the Conservative government’s changes to State Pension Law in 1995 and 2011 to increase women’s State Pension Age to 66.

But, the group say the changes were brought in too quickly and with little or no notice so it was difficult for women to plan for the situation.

The campaigning Enfield woman, explained: “My personal circumstances are very ordinary, like most of the other women.

“I’ve paid my National Insurance contributions and was expecting to retire at 60, and I am 63 now.

“When I had my family, I became a registered childminder so that I could raise my children and make a living rather than claim benefits.

“Five years ago, I left child-minding and went to work in a local playgroup until I left that on Friday December 15.

“My husband had prostate cancer and was medically retired and then I had breast cancer.

“With all the treatments that go with breast cancer, my body feels a lot older than 63.

“I, like many women, were not told of this increase in pension age and therefore could not make adequate financial arrangement.

“I would very much like to retire because I feel worn out, but after Christmas I will be job hunting.

“We all agree that women’s pension age has to now be the same as men’s, the main problem is the large jump from 60 to 66 with little or no warning.

“I am lucky I don’t have to care for elderly relatives, as some women have to do as well as work full time.

“MPs, meanwhile, have no idea what it’s like to struggle and live hand to mouth.”

Yvette Greenway, who founded SOS Silence of Suicide with her partner Michael Mansfield QC and manages online video and event business Anna Christian Campaigns helped organise the march, said: “The #Backto60#OneVoice campaign continues to gather pace following its peaceful demonstration in London this week, encouraging Teresa May and her Government to bring state pension age back to 60 for 1950’s women.

“Promises by government to give adequate – 15 years – notice of any changes to state pension ages and receipt of state pension were broken and, in some cases, notification was not given at all to the estimated 3.4 million women affected by this scandal, which has far reaching and multiple repercussions.

“For some women, they are waiting more than six years for their state pensions – money they paid in all their lives when responsibly planning for their retirement.

“The outrage is building and approximately 70 women turned up in the freezing cold and rain to voice their opinions.

“Many more couldn’t.

“Ill health and lack of funds prevented them from doing so.

“Yet, for one day, they were empowered.

Seven people presented just under 658,000 petition signatures to No 10 Downing Street after their peaceful demonstration.

“The support for #Backto60 is already incredible and growing fact, with some Women Against State Pension Inequality members now supporting our demands.

“With support from prominent individuals such as Michael Mansfield QC, leading any legal charge going forward and film maker Ken Loach, this modern day story of an age old problem – social and financial inequality for women – is becoming a huge debating point.

“One of our peer groups has canvassed MPs and 228 MPs pledged to support 50s women including co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups, Carolyn Harris.

“We aim to build upon existing political pressure to change policy via the All Party Parliamentary Group who have a review in mid-January next year.

“#Backto60 have also started crowd funding to influence the passage of the bill through parliament.

“In addition, the legal team are considering the issue as we speak to determine their way forward in the fight for justice for 1950s women.”