WASPI pension women 'betrayed'

WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women are furious after work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall announced yesterday that they would not be compensated by the taxpayer.

MPs were told by the minister that the government accepted findings earlier this year from the parliamentary and health service ombudsman that her department had failed to communicate the pension changes adequately, but she rejected the report’s recommendation for a flat-rate compensation scheme that would have paid out between £1,000 to £2,950 to each of the more than three million women affected.

The minister also said there was evidence from a survey suggesting 90 per cent of women in the relevant age group knew about the planned changes.

WASPI women have long-time argued that those born between 1950 and 1960 saw the age change introduced without enough warning and that some affected by the changes found themselves in poverty when they got to 60, the age they expected to start getting the state pension. 

Brendan O’Hara MP said the government’s announcement betrayed the WASPI women.

He said: "For years, the Labour Party in opposition promised to deliver justice for the WASPI women. But this announcement is not justice, it is a complete betrayal.

"I pay tribute once again to WASPI Argyll and the Isles for the way they have patiently but doggedly campaigned over the years to get what they are entitled to.

"Those women were led to believe before the General Election that an incoming Labour government would provide them with a fair and just settlement, so today I fully understand why those women feel deceived and so appallingly let down by Keir Starmer.

"When the announcement was made, I and my SNP colleagues in the House of Commons, left the Labour Party in no doubt as to exactly what we thought of this betrayal, and we have renewed our promise to continue the fight for justice for the WASPI Women."

Ann Greer, Coordinator of WASPI Argyll & Isles group, said: “There is palpable anger amongst our group members about Liz Kendall’s statement that the UK Government will not compensate WASPI for Maladministration, proven and recommended, nine months ago, by the independent watchdog PHSO." 

Other group members also said: "I wish I could put into words how angry I feel. Another U-turn by this Government”. Others have said: “Disappointed hardly covers it” and “Appalling announcement."

Ann added: “Liz Kendall and Keir Starmer have framed their decision as if to prevent a “burden” to the taxpayer as if we have not been, and still are, taxpayers who have paid into the system all our working lives. We pay council tax, car tax and VAT etc. and many pensioners continue to pay income tax, even on low pensions, because the personal tax-free allowance has not increased.”