Women affected by controversial changes to the state pension age have lost their landmark High Court fight against the Government. 

In a summary of the court’s decision, Lord Justice Irwin and Mrs Justice Whipple said: “The court was saddened by the stories contained in the claimants’ evidence.

“But the court’s role was limited. There was no basis for concluding that the policy choices reflected in the legislation were not open to government. In any event they were approved by Parliament.

“The wider issues raised by the claimants about whether the choices were right or wrong or good or bad were not for the court. They were for members of the public and their elected representatives.”

Around 100 supporters attended the handing down of the judgment at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

There were some gasps at the back of the courtroom as Lord Justice Irwin announced the court’s decision.