West Lothian Council News
West Lothian WASPI women welcome council’s move to condemn government’s decision
The co-ordinator of West Lothian Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) expressed gratitude for the local council’s decision to denounce the UK Government’s dismissal of the Ombudsman’s recommendation of compensation for women born in the 1950s. Carla O’Hara addressed councillors, highlighting the Ombudsman’s ruling in March of the previous year, suggesting that these women deserved compensation for the insufficient notice they received regarding changes to their state pension age. These women were deprived of accurate information necessary for planning this significant life adjustment post the age of 60 and thus, deserved compensation. O’Hara pointed out that despite the government acknowledging maladministration and issuing an apology, on December 17, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced a surprising decision to deny compensation to the affected women.
Ms. O’Hara questioned the significance of an apology if no rectification was offered, emphasizing that Parliament had not been given the opportunity to discuss or vote on the matter, leaving MPs shocked by the government’s unilateral statement. She criticised the government’s unprecedented dismissal of the Ombudsman’s recommendation for financial compensation, which had been accepted in over 99.9% of previous cases involving public bodies. The refusal to adhere to the Ombudsman’s guidance undermines the independence and credibility of the Ombudsman’s office, which is entrusted to impartially adjudicate on behalf of Parliament.
Following Ms. O’Hara’s remarks, the council decided to correspond with Liz Kendall MP, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, urging for a House of Commons vote to overturn the decision against compensation, thus allowing local MPs to vote on the matter. This move was welcomed by the West Lothian WASPI women, who continue to advocate for justice for the women impacted by this pension age discrepancy. They remain hopeful that their concerns will be heard and addressed by the government in due course.
**Insights and Summary:**
The article reports on the West Lothian Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) group’s reaction to the government’s denial of compensation for women born in the 1950s regarding changes to their state pension age. The group’s co-ordinator, Carla O’Hara, highlighted the need for these women to receive compensation for the insufficient notice they received. The government’s refusal to act on the Ombudsman’s recommendation has sparked outrage and calls for parliamentary intervention. The article underscores the importance of just compensation for affected individuals and the need for government accountability in addressing such discrepancies.