A West Dunbartonshire activist who has spent years campaigning for compensation for WASPI women has been left “extremely disappointed and angry” after the Labour government confirmed it will not be offering pay outs.
Labour Work and Pension Secretary Liz Kendall announced that around 3.5 million women born in the 1950s – who campaigners say were not properly informed of the rise to the state pension age – will not be given any sort of financial pay out.
Ms Kendall told the Commons: “The Government does not believe paying a flat rate to all women at a cost of up to £10.5 billion would be fair or proportionate to taxpayers.”
Now, Liz Daly, co-ordinator for West Dunbartonshire WASPI, says the group will review its options before deciding on its next steps in a bid to win compensation.
The 1995 Pensions Act increased the state pension age for women from 60 to 65 – bringing it in line with the state pension age for men. The changes were to be implemented in a phased roll-out over the next decade from 2010 for women born between 1950-1955.
The roll-out was later sped up by the 2011 Pensions Act.
It was at that stage that many women discovered that they would have to wait up to six years longer for their state pension, potentially impacting their retirement plans.
Click here for more news and sport from West Dunbartonshire.
In West Dunbartonshire, around 6,000 women have been impacted.
Ms Daly told the Lennox: “We’re extremely disappointed and angry that the government has decided that WASPI women are not entitled to compensation. We will be examining the minister’s statement carefully before we decide on our next steps.
“As well as being a local co-ordinator, I’m also a member of the national steering group for Women Against State Pension Injustice (Waspi Campaign 2019).
“The Steering Group has already met and have agreed we need to encourage members to contact their MPs and tell them how angry they are.
“MPs are being asked to call for a vote. The matter was to be laid before parliament, according to recommendations from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).”
Ms Daly added that she will be meeting with the local group next month to discuss a way forward.
Earlier this week, Dumbarton’s Labour MSP said that a “blanket approach which denies compensation to any women is wrong”.
Jackie Baillie, who has supported WASPI women throughout, urged for compromise.
The Scottish Labour’s deputy leader said: “I have been proud to support WASPI women and have worked very closely with those in my constituency who have been affected. I was also a former convener of the Scottish Parliament’s cross-party group on WASPI women.
“I’m clear that an injustice has been done to these women and, whilst the pension changes had an impact on all women, some will have suffered severe detriment as a result.
“I understand the financial constraints under which the UK Government finds itself operating, however, I think a blanket approach which denies compensation to any women is wrong.
“It is my belief that a compromise could have been reached to assist those who have suffered the most.
“It is my job to stand up for my constituents and I have been a constant supporter of WASPI women – a position which I continue to maintain.”
Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), is a voluntary organisation founded in 2015 which campaigns against the way in which the state pension age for men and women was equalised and have called for the millions of women affected by the change to receive compensation.