Labour MSP Urges UK Government to Compensate Waspi Women for Pension Changes
Labour MSP Monica Lennon has called on the UK Government to reverse its decision not to compensate women affected by changes to the state pension age. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign has been campaigning for justice for women impacted by pension changes, and Lennon echoed the sentiment that people are still “upset and angry” about the government’s stance.
Lennon supported a motion from her local constituency party demanding a resolution to this “ongoing injustice”. Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, criticized Keir Starmer’s government for not offering compensation, suggesting that targeted or tapered support could have been considered instead. Lennon echoed Sarwar’s sentiments and urged the UK Government to reconsider their decision.
The total compensation bill for affected women is estimated to be as high as £10 billion, a figure that the UK Government has claimed it cannot afford. When asked about how compensation could be funded given the strain on public finances, Lennon emphasised the need to address the injustice that has been done to these women. She highlighted the government’s responsibility to find a solution, even if it means compensation is not paid all at once.
The changes to the state pension age, which began in 1995 under John Major’s Tory government, have disproportionately affected millions of women. The decision to accelerate these changes in 2010 under the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government further impacted women, leaving many without adequate time to prepare for the shift.
Despite findings from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) in March 2024 that the UK Government failed to properly inform women about changes to the state pension age, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced last month that Waspi women would not be compensated. This decision has caused disappointment and frustration among campaigners who had hoped for a different outcome.
Although both Kendall and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have previously supported the Waspi campaign, the Labour Party did not commit to compensating these women in their 2024 general election manifesto. The ball is now in the UK Government’s court as pressure mounts for them to reconsider their position and address the injustices faced by Waspi women.
As discussions continue on how to rectify this situation, it is clear that the fight for justice for Waspi women is far from over. The resilience and determination of campaigners like Monica Lennon and others will be crucial in holding the government to account and ensuring that these women receive the support and compensation they deserve.