Hundreds of furious women fighting for compensation following devastating changes to state pensions protested outside Westminster as the budget speech was given.

Women from across south Essex, who are part of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group, attended the “Waspi can’t wait, compensate” protest today – many hoping to hear that compensation was secured for them.

However, protesters were snubbed as they were not mentioned in any budget statement, though they remain resolute that their fight for “fast and fair” compensation will continue for as long as it takes to achieve.

Campaign - Frances Neil and Debbie Dalton at the protest Campaign - Frances Neil and Debbie Dalton at the protest (Image: Frances Neil) The Waspi women, born in the 1950s, say successive governments failed to inform them of increases to their state pension age and are calling for compensation as a result.

South Essex Waspi co-coordinator, Frances Neil, attended with Debbie Dalton alongside 20 women from her group.

She said: “We were hoping to hear that compensation had been secured and was forthcoming and we are pleased that two similar schemes, for infected blood and sub-postmasters are being compensated.

“We are not giving up, we are disappointed, but we are not surprised, and we have shown the force of our feelings and shown we are alive and not giving up.

“It is interesting to have this influx of feelings for the campaign and we will carry on, we are hoping that the meetings we have had with the pensions minister will mean they are considering things.

"There will be other budget statements, and I know that our compensation scheme might not be easy to compile.

“We are hoping though, that eventually, there will be something simple, sensitive and swift, we cannot afford to wait.

"There is not hope that this will waive or stop us, we will keep going to keep bringing this to the government’s notice.”

Frances, who was a headteacher in Southend and benefitted from a teacher’s pension, had to wait five years for her state pension, taking her teacher's pension at 62 and working for another seven years.

She believes her losses during that time to total £50,000 and the ombudsman’s report suggested that compensation at level four, ranging between £1,000 and £2,950 would be appropriate for those affected.