DOZENS of campaigners took to the city streets to call for compensation for women. The group of Women Against State Pension Inequality activists were in Southampton as part of a national day of action. As reported they are asking for government compensation, after they say hundreds of thousands of women across the country were not told about changes to their state pension age. Now they say women are facing financial difficulty after not being given enough time to plan for retirement.

The date was chosen to coincide with campaigner Emmeline Pankhurst’s birthday and saw women come from across the south dress in suffragette colours and costumes to march through Southampton City Centre and picket outside Westquay.

Southampton Coxford ward councillor Tammy Thomas marched with them and said: "When I first met the Solent WASPIs early in 2016, I knew it was a cause I had to back and support. So many women who had worked and paid their taxes and national insurance but not been told of the changes to the SPA, causing for some financial hardship – I had to join them to fight for fair transitional arrangements, moving a motion in Southampton City Council chamber which gained full cross-party support. I will continue to support and fight with these amazing women as long as they need me and until the Government listens and does the right thing.”

Also at the protest was Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead who pledged his support, and said it was a matter of “basic fairness." He added: "You can be assured there is a huge groundswell of support in Parliament behind you for what you are trying to achieve.”

In a statement to the Echo organisers of the event said: "After a lifetime of discrimination and financial disadvantage, we deserve more than a money grab dressed up as equality.

"Many women of our age haven’t had the same opportunities as men to build up a private pension and are much more likely to be totally dependent on the state pension.

"But we have worked hard.

"We have contributed massively to our country and economy in unpaid work too.

"We just want fair treatment for us as women and for our families because it affects them too.

"This day has been an important part of our struggle for state pension justice.

"It tells the Government we are determined to carry on the fight until we win. We are heartened by the positive response we’ve had in Southampton today and thank all those who are supporting us.

"We are not going away.”