Local MP Martin Docherty-Hughes has pledged to continue fighting on behalf of 1950s-born women in West Dunbartonshire hit by the Westminster government's changes to state pension age.

The move comes following a court ruling dismissing the case of WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaigners who argued that the UK government's plans to accelerate pension age increases were unfairly discriminatory.

West Dunbartonshire's WASPI co-ordinator Liz Daly was in attendance at the high court judgement this week, after joining thousands of campaigners at a protest outside the Tory party conference in Manchester.

Local SNP MP Martin Docherty-Hughes, who met with WASPI campaigner Liz ahead of the ruling, described it as a disappointing setback - but vowed that the fight for fair pension rights would go on.

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SNP MPs at Westminster have been supporting the WASPI movement in pushing for fair transitional state pension arrangements for everyone affected by changes to state pension entitlement.

Across the UK millions of 1950s-born women have had their state pension qualifying age changed by up to six years with little or no notice.

An estimated 6,300 women in West Dunbartonshire face being up to £48,000 out of pocket, and local MP Martin Docherty-Hughes is urging any constituents needing support to come forward.

Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:

"WASPI campaigners in West Dunbartonshire and across Scotland have been working tirelessly on behalf of the thousands of women being unfairly denied their state pensions by the Westminster government.

"Like many I'm disappointed by the ruling, but the campaign continues. More than 350,0000 women in West Dunbartonshire and across Scotland are being adversely affected – effectively robbed of the state pensions they have worked hard for all their lives.

"The WASPI women are guilty of nothing but they are being treated shamefully by this UK government. If the Tories think the WASPI campaign is going away then they can think again – we're not giving up.

"The ball is now in Boris Johnson's court – it's time they did the right thing and reverse this unjust policy that's causing so much hardship for our pensioners.

"The SNP will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with 1950s-born women in their fight for the fair pensions they deserve.

"I work closely with the local WASPI campaign group and would urge any constituents looking for support to get in touch."

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