A COUNCIL leader is calling on the government to reconsider its changes to the state pension entitlement of women born in the 1950s.

Hyndburn Borough boss Cllr Miles Parkinson said 3.8million who had expected to get the benefit at 60 now had to wait till 66.

He believes the maximum two years' notice of the change had left many 'living in hardship'.

Cllr Parkinson will move a motion at Hyndburn Borough's Full Council meeting on January 10 asking the government to 'make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born in the 1950s'.

He said: "Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences.

"Many of these women are already out of the labour market, caring for elderly relatives, and/or providing childcare for grandchildren..

"Women born in the 1950's are suffering financially.

"These women have worked hard, raised families and paid their tax and national insurance with the expectation that they would be financially secure when reaching 60.

It is not the pension age itself that is in dispute The issue is the rise in the women's state pension age has been too rapid and has happened without sufficient notice being given."