Scottish Labour MPs angry as Waspi compensation denied for second time
The UK Government confirmed on Thursday that it would not be compensating the Waspi women after reviewing a 2007 Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) evaluation.
Several Scottish Labour MPs have vented their anger after women affected by the way changes to the state pension age were communicated were told for the second time they will not receive compensation.
The UK Government confirmed on Thursday that it would not be compensating the Waspi women after reviewing a 2007 Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) evaluation.
Brian Leishman said the decision was a “disgrace”, Kirsteen Sullivan said she was “disappointed”, Douglas McAllister said his constituents “will be very angry”, while Patricia Ferguson said the “anger” felt by the Waspi women was “very understandable”.
Several Labour figures, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, campaigned alongside the Waspi women when they were in opposition.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told the Commons on Thursday that a targeted compensation programme would “not be practical”, with a wider flat-rate scheme costing up to £10.3 billion.
He said: “The evidence shows that the vast majority of 1950s-born women already knew the state pension age was increasing thanks to a wide range of public information, including through leaflets, education campaigns, information in GP surgeries, on TV, radio, cinema and online.
“To specifically compensate only those women who suffered injustice would require a scheme that could reliably verify the individual circumstances of millions of women.”
Alloa and Grangemouth MP Leishman said: “To announce a rethink after making the initial wrong decision was welcome.
“But announcing the doubling down of not paying WASPI women what they are entitled to is an absolute disgrace.
“This announcement is carrying on the injustice suffered by these women and I’m ashamed of the decision.
“Supporting campaigns and causes should never be transactional or come with clauses.
“This decision is a shameful day for a great party that should always stand for justice.
“WASPI women will always have my support and I’ll continue to fight for them inside and outside of Parliament.”
Bathgate and Linlithgow MP Ms Sullivan told the Commons: “Like many members on these benches and across the house, I have long supported Waspi women. Women in West Lothian and in Falkirk, and may I commend them for their perseverance over many, many years.
“I've spoken to several women who've experienced significant financial hardship and emotional and physical strain, and I share their undoubted disappointment today.”
West Dumbartonshire MP Mr McAllister said: “I've got no doubt that my 6,000 West Dunbartonshire Waspi women will be very angry with this decision.”
Glasgow West MP Ms Ferguson said: “My right hon friend is very serious individual, and his statement today was very serious, but it helpfully enumerated that the majority of pensioners on lower incomes are women, and that women make up the majority of those depending on pension credit.
“So the anger that was be women feel about this steep increase in age is very understandable, and many of these women paid what my mother used to call the small stamp, which makes their situation even more vulnerable.”
A report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has previously suggested compensation ranging between £1,000 and £2,950 could be appropriate for each of those affected by the way state pension changes had been communicated.
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