SOUTH Ayrshire Council have finally agreed to back the WASPI woman of South Ayrshire in their state pension campaign.

This is the third time the motion has been discussed at the County Buildings, after the age women could collect their state pension, increased for those born after April 6, 1951.

Many feel this has not given them enough time to prepare for a healthy retirement and are calling for the UK government to reverse their decision,

Cllr Julie Dettbarn, seconded by cllr Peter Henderson urged the council to write to the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions at a full council meeting last week.

They asked for councillors to call upon the United Kingdom Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for women born on or after 6th April 1951, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements.

Cllr Dettbarn explained: "Hundreds of thousands of women had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little or no personal notification of the changes.

"Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

"Many women born in the 1950’s are living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences."

Cllr Alec Clark said: "I am happy to support this motion. It has been through this council twice and the decision has had a financial impact on them."

Cllr Peter Henderson said: "I hope we can make the right decision and support the WASPI women."

Cllr Laura Brennan-Whitefield added: "I had a very emotional discussion with one of these women and it really brought home the hardship of the policy. We must do the right thing and challenge the UK government."

The motion was agreed.