Landmarks across Renfrewshire are set to light up in support of thousands of women affected by pension inequalities.
Johnstone bandstand, Renfrew Town Hall and the bascule bridge over the White Cart in Renfrew will be illuminated in purple to support of the women involved in the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign.
More than 12,000 women across Renfrewshire who were born in the 1950s have been affected by pension inequalities, with some losing out on up to £50,000.
The 1995 Conservative Government’s State Pension Act included plans to increase women’s state pension age from 60 to 65, then 66 and 67 by 2028 to be equal with men.
Hundreds of thousands of women born in the 1950s have been hit particularly hard by the changes with very little notice to save or plan for their retirement.
Campaigners have been fighting for a number of years to have their voices heard, and are delighted that Renfrewshire has joined other local authorities across the country in the show of support - which is set to take place on September 6.
Anne Potter, coordinator for Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Dumbartonshire and Renfrewshire said: "We are absolutely delighted with the support that has been shown to us.
"We have had a great response all over Scotland and it has been fantastic to have the show of support that we do in Renfrewshire.
"We really just want to highlight the injustices of the women involved in the campaign."
Campaigners marked a step forward in their campaign in July last year following the publication of an official report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) which stated that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) made a mistake in not telling the women of the changes.
Protesters gathered outside of Paisley Town Hall ahead of a Court of Appeal challenge to a judicial review last year which dismissed their legal challenge.
Anne added: "We have been looking at these complaints since 2016 so it has been a long and tough road.
"We are hoping following the publishing of the report that this next stage will move quickly and we will get a fast result.
"We have been very fortunate to have had the support of a number of Renfrewshire councillors, MPs and MSPs."
Their efforts have been supported by Paisley East and Central councillor Carolann Davidson, who helped the campaign get the green light to light up the landmarks.
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Labour Councillor Carolann said: "Although I wasn’t born in the 1950s, for most of my working life I also expected to retire and get my State Pension at age 60, therefore I feel a strong affiliation with the WASPI women and the injustices that they have had endure.
"So I was delighted and excited when the local WASPI women asked me if I could try to arrange to have Renfrewshire landmarks lit up purple as part of a UK wide show of support across the country.
"I was approached because I have been working closely with local WASPI women for some years now, and I feel I have made many new friends through supporting them at various events and marching with them at previous Sma' Shot days, which I hope we will be able to do again next year.
"I made a couple of calls and council officers have said that they can light up the Johnstone Band Stand, the bascule bridge in Renfrew and Renfrew Town Hall.
"Unfortunately the town hall in Paisley is under refurbishment at the moment, but hopefully it can be added to the list for future years.
"The lights are due to come on with street lights around 8pm which is really exciting and as many WASPI women as possible are going to attend all three events."
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