Wishaw MSP slams UK Labour’s betrayal of WASPI women ahead of Holyrood debate
Motherwell and Wishaw’s MSP, Clare Adamson, has criticised the UK Labour Government for failing nearly 20,000 North Lanarkshire women who may have missed out on pension payments. Adamson described Labour’s broken promise to WASPI (Women against State Pension inequality) women as a betrayal. Figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) showed that around 19,840 women in North Lanarkshire might not have received their entitled pension payments due to the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) failure to notify them of changes to the state pension age. Across Scotland, an estimated 355,910 women may have been affected by this.
The state pension age change, initiated by the Tories in 1995, affected over 3.5 million women born in the 1950s. The entitlement age for women was gradually increased from 60 to 65 years old between 2010 and 2020 to align with men’s entitlement age. However, the process was accelerated in 2010, moving the changes up by two years to 2018. In December, the UK Labour Government announced its decision to disregard the recommendation from the UK Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) to compensate WASPI women, leading to disappointment among those affected.
Labour’s Work & Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, justified the decision by stating that a flat rate compensation for all women could cost up to £10.5 billion and would be unfair to taxpayers. This move came after the PHSO had earlier advised compensation ranging from £1,000 to £2,950 for the affected women. In response, Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged the women’s disappointment but cited that the majority were aware of the changes to the pension age.
The SNP planned to lead a debate in Holyrood calling for compensation for WASPI women, with Clare Adamson criticising the UK Government’s failure to deliver on its promise to support these women since taking office. Adamson highlighted the injustice faced by thousands of women in North Lanarkshire due to governmental failures and expressed the SNP’s commitment to advocating for the compensation that WASPI women rightfully deserve.
In conclusion, Clare Adamson’s stance on the UK Labour Government’s handling of the WASPI issue sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by women affected by pension age changes. The debate in Holyrood not only signifies the importance of addressing this issue but also highlights the significance of holding governments accountable for fulfilling promises made to support vulnerable groups in society. It underscores the need for continued advocacy and action to ensure equitable treatment and fair compensation for those adversely affected by policy changes.