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A woman killed herself after the general election result heightened her pension worries, an MP has claimed.

Mhairi Black, the SNP 's pensions spokeswoman, made the shock claim as MPs demanded justice for millions of women "robbed" of their state pension.

Women born after April 1953 are having their state pension age hiked to make it 66 by 2020, the same as for men.

Activists say the change to 2.6million women came at too short notice, warning letters didn’t arrive and happy retirements were "robbed".

Labour now say 37 Tory MPs, plus Mrs May's new DUP allies, back the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign - enough to crush her fragile majority.

Ms Black said she was "absolutely scunnered" - meaning annoyed - with "banging on about the injustice".

Speaking in a packed and heated Westminster Hall debate, Ms Black said: "I got an email today from a woman, a WASPI woman.

"She was telling us that her friend committed suicide after the General Election result because she could not face what was going to happen to her.

"Citizens committing suicide over an issue that could be solved like that.

"An issue that the Government could do a U-turn on at any given moment.

"So when the Government manages to fork out a magical £1 billion to cling on to power, first of all you must really want the job of being the one that has to fix these things.

"Second of all, you don't get to claim that money is the reason you can't help when you can find £1 billion for self-interest."

(Image: AFP)

Ms Black said the Government had rightly dropped pension plans included in its manifesto, adding: "What I would say, for hopefully the last time, just drop one more plan.

"Realise this is cross-party, this is across different backgrounds, different areas, this is people's mothers, this is your aunties, this is your sisters and cousins.

"So please can we do the right thing, do the job of Government and fix the problem and start looking after your people."

Theresa May faced a new revolt today as Tory MPs joined the calls in the debate - with one, Keith Simpson, saying his wife was "incandescent with rage".

The Tories have repeatedly refused to offer further help, saying undoing the most recent change in 2011 would cost £30billion - though activists say a compromise would be cheaper.

But one Conservative, Tim Loughton, slammed the changes as an “injustice" and “unfair burden” made worse by "poor communications” from the government.

He said it was "a breach of trust” to women who "worked hard and did the right thing and did their bit all their lives."

He added: "The problem is more widespread than we were ever led to believe. It threatens real hardship for some of our constituents now - not some stage in the future, absolutely now.

"This problem is not going to go away. I hope with a new minister and a new Secretary of State we can have a new start, a clean break, recognise this injustice and do something about it at long last."

After a 90-minute debate MPs agreed they had "not considered" the changes - a symbolic move designed to try and force a full House of Commons debate.

The Tory minister replying to the debate sparked fury after suggesting women "robbed" of their pension could take up an apprenticeship.

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Guy Opperman was heckled with shouts of "shame on you" and "disgraceful" after saying: "We have also extended apprenticeship opportunities as one of the best routes to skilled employment for people of all ages and gender.

"Such apprenticeships in England, for example, in 2014/15... 12% of the starting apprenticeships were for those aged 45."

Labour MP Grahame Morris, who led the debate, said the women were "not looking for apprenticeships at 64.

"They’re looking for some recognition of their contribution - sometimes over 44, 45 years or more - many of them whom are now in ill health.

"So please discharge your responsibilities minister - otherwise the people may discharge this government."