THE 5,000 women in Ceredigion who have lost up to six years’ State Pension entitlement now have the backing of Ceredigion County Council in their campaign for justice.

At a recent meeting, the council acknowledged that many women in Ceredigion born in the 1950s are facing remarkable challenges to make ends meet, having lost several years’ State Pension under rules introduced under the 1995 and 2011 Pension Acts.

The council unanimously resolved to support the Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) campaign and to make representations to the UK Government.

Campaigners from the newly-formed Ceredigion WASPI handed leaflets to councillors to introduce the group.

WASPI co-ordinator Pamela Judge said: “Thousands of women in Ceredigion are struggling to live on substantially less than they had expected to after the age of 60.

“Despite having full National Insurance records they are facing a loss of up to £45,000 worth of pension. It’s brilliant that the council is supporting our campaign for justice.”

The leader of Ceredigion County Council, Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn said: “This motion, and the campaign more broadly, aims to get fairness for everyone. The campaign doesn’t ask that women are treated more favourably than men. It asks that the change is made in a better way that doesn’t unfairly treat women born in the 1950s.”

She added that she was “100 per cent behind them, they have been badly treated.”

In conjunction with MP Ben Lake’s office, Ceredigion WASPI is running drop-in advice sessions for women wishing to make a formal complaint about their loss of pension, with one being held at Cardigan library on November 14 (3pm-5pm).

Other sessions take place at Aberaeron library on October 31 (3pm-5pm) on December 5 at Aberystwyth library (3pm-5pm).

The first meeting of Ceredigion WASPI will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 19 at Ray Ceredigion in Aberaeron. All women and their supporters are welcome.