A BARNARD Castle woman has returned after taking part in her first protest at the age of 65.
Vivian Guy joined almost 100 women who took their plight to 10 Downing Street to demand action on behalf of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI).
The former nurse says she should have received her pension when she turned 60 but changes in the law mean she won’t get it until she turns 66.
Before heading for the protest on November 26, she said: “I am living on my savings. I am lucky I have a good husband who pays the household bills. They never informed me [about changes to the retirement age] and I still haven’t been informed.”
Of the protest event, she said: “Everyone was very friendly and there was a relatively good turnout with about 90 people there which was good considering the tube strikes which left a lot stuck and unable to join us.
“There were four key speakers including Lord Prem Sikka and Jan Shortt (general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention) who spoke about concerns that people on pensions are living below the minimum wage level and having to choose between heating or eating
“We marched along to 10 Downing Street singing and blowing whistles, and delivered a petition to Number 10.”
