Unanimous motion supports WASPI women

The motion read that the council stands in solidarity with the WASPI women and believes the women have been treated appallingly by the UK Government and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

It also read that the council supports the findings and recommendations of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, which found ‘maladministration’ on the part of the DWP, and that the council calls on the UK Government to acknowledge the financial and emotional burden its actions have imposed on WASPI women and to fully fund compensation due to the women without further delay. 

The motion ended that the council instructs its chief executive to write to Mel Stride MP, UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, intimating the council’s position and requesting the UK Government confirms it will act without delay to right the wrong inflicted on WASPI Women.

Councillor McTiernan said: “I would like to put on record my admiration for the courage and dignity with which the WASPI women have fought the injustice imposed on them by the UK Government and the Department of Work and Pensions. I would also like to acknowledge the long-standing work of North Ayrshire and Arran MP Patricia Gibson."

Across the UK, 2.6 million have been affected by the way the increase to their state pension age has been implemented. 336,000 WASPI women in Scotland and 6,940 in North Ayrshire need our support quickly, she added.

Councillor Johnson said: “As a WASPI woman myself, I applaud this motion. We have all seen the impact austerity policies have had on communities since 2008 which have had a double impact on WASPI women through the Department of Work and Pensions’ maladministration.”