Unions have launched a petition opposing the government's plans to speed up the increase in the state pension age, which go back on their promises in the coalition agreement.

The changes will mean that 4.9 million people will have to wait longer to get their pension - with 500,000 women aged 56-57 having to work more than an extra year, and 33,000 working for exactly two years longer.

Campaigning group Unions Together is working with Age UK to oppose these moves.

The petition carries a message from Barbara Bates, a 56-year-old woman who will now have to wait 2 extra years to retire at age 66. She says: "This broken promise is unfair, unnecessary and unacceptable.”

People affected will have very little time to prepare for losing over £10,000 of the state pension income that they have worked hard for. “I feel robbed of 2 years of freedom, and more than £10,000 that I would have received as my state pension. The basic state pension will be my only retirement income, and I have no extra means of coping financially. I will have no option but to try and carry on working.”

Please sign the petition and encourage others to do so.