Don’t rob our Central Fife women!

IMAGINE having your pension plans torn to shreds - and not even being told about it.

That's the scenario for 243,900 Scottish women born on or after 6th April 6, 1951, who are not getting their pension on their 60th birthday.

They are having to work longer because the retirement goalposts were shifted by the UK Government.

Christine Evans, of Dunfermline, is one of thousands of West and Central Fife women affected.

She has worked since she was 16 and reasonably expected to receive her pension at 60.

She said: "I feel that to ask women of our age to start looking for another job is unfair - I think we've been penalised really unfairly."

Her comments were made at an event at The Hub Cafe in Dunfermline on Friday, hosted by West Fife’s Women Against State Pension Inequality group (WASPI).

Over coffee, I heard the stories from ordinary local women upset about the issue.

I was joined by Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville and Rosyth Councillor Sharon Wilson.

We have a Westminster government prepared to spend billions on new nuclear power stations, Trident and HS2, but are forgetting the needs of ordinary hard-working woman.

The WASPI campaign has a growing momentum. I, and my SNP colleagues, intend to crank-up the campaign to allow this generation of women to have fair access to their pension.

Malawi Mission

Last week I popped in to have a chat with Beath High School's rector Douglas Young. Outside his office I noticed a pile of boxes and bags, which he told me were donations from parents, pupils and the people of Cowdenbeath for those in Malawi.

It was a typically generous response from a school community which is well known for its charity. He is leading a group of pupils and staff who will visit the African country next month. I'm kept up-to-date with all the activities at Beath High, thanks mainly to comprehensive coverage in the Times.

We all read about the school's extensive and impressive extra-curricular activities that are vital in developing a skillset outside the classroom, from sport to charity work. Douglas is a director of the Scotland-Malawi Partnership. It does great work in strengthening educational ties between the two countries, with the school fostering partnerships with Mapanga and Njale primary schools.

It was clear from speaking to Douglas on Thursday that he has a passion for Malawi and for helping his pupils widen their horizons by getting a group of them out there to experience a different way of life and help where they can.

I'm currently in the process of visiting all the high schools in my constituency and have been impressed with the professionalism and enthusiasm of our headteachers.

Schools are the lynchpin of communities across West and Central Fife, so let's continue supporting the headteachers who work hard with their staff to nurture talent and achievement in our young people. I look forward to reading all about the Malawi trip in the Times soon!