Colleen Webster, a supporter of the Waspi campaign, believes all those affected should be compensated
Colleen Webster, 68, is a Waspi woman. She is angry at the Government for forcing her into the position where she felt she had no choice but to sell her body for sex and says she would never have had to do it if she had received her pension at 60When Colleen Webster found herself with just enough money to buy food, but not for the electricity to cook it, she felt herself gripped with an overwhelming sense of despair.
Colleen Webster, 68, says at 61 she faced the harsh reality of either being able to afford food or electricitywomen – those born in the 50s who were affected by the change to the state pension age under the 1995 and 2011 Pensions Acts. For some women, it meant an increase in the age they could retire on the State Pension by up to six years.
“There was also another lady who delivered the meals who gave me a lift home sometimes when she’d finished.” But this woman only worked part time.When she attended the job centre, she believed she would only need to claim benefits for three months as she would soon be turning 60. Even signing on for benefits proved an ordeal, as she had to make a 26-mile round trip by bus every two weeks to sign on.
It was at this point Ms Webster took up the controversial offer from her male friend, striking up a deal which made her £40 a week from him for the next two years.“I don’t have to sell my body, I can pay for food and pay my bills and I don’t owe any money. I have also been able to afford to buy a dog, which is something I always wanted. My black Labrador Jade is great company.”
Angela Madden, chair of Waspi, said: “There are sadly far too many women just like Colleen who received just a few months notice of significant hikes in their state pension age, throwing their retirement plans into chaos.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘I’m a Waspi woman, Labour have to act on compensation within their first 100 days’It is 'absolutely vital' Waspi campaigners pick up their lobbying where they left off with a new Labour government, one woman has said
Read more »
Burnside WASPI woman leading compensation fight feels forgotten in manifestosBurnside woman, Anne Potter, who has been campaigning for the pension rights of women in the area since 2016, is urging for action to be taken.
Read more »
Paisley WASPI women in Downing Street fight for compensation tripThe pair visited the English capital to fight for justice after women born between 1950 and 1960 were hit in the pocket.
Read more »
WASPI hopes surge as key MPs pledge to continue supportHundreds of MPs have said there should be compensation payouts
Read more »
State Pension age change compensation could be on the way for WASPI womenRebecca Long Bailey MP has said Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing compensation for 1950s-born women.
Read more »
WASPI surge in support as hundreds of MPs back causeA key group of MPs is calling for compensation
Read more »