Offering all women impacted by the pensions scandal compensation would “not be fair or proportionate,” Alison Taylor MP has said – days after being accused of hypocrisy.
The MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North yesterday spoke out following a Sunday Mail article exposed Labour’s hypocrisy after the party denied thousands of women compensation over state pension changes.
Our sister title and the Express reported how senior figures and newly-elected representatives, including Ms Taylor, were among dozens of party MPs to support the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) Scotland campaign before the General Election.
The women, who were all born in the 1950s, said they were told too late that the age for the state pension was going to rise from 60 to 65 – leaving them no time to make plans or adapt financially.
In March, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) said that they should be compensated for the UK Government’s failure, with payouts of up to £2,900 per person recommended.
But the UK Government announced on December 17, 2024, that the women – including 11,000 in Renfrewshire – wouldn’t be getting payouts; and said to do so would be a “further burden on the taxpayer”.
Yesterday, Ms Taylor – who had remained silent on the issue for three weeks – told the Paisley Daily Express she agreed with the stance of the UK Government that not all WASPI women had been impacted financially.
The MP, who met and showed her support for WASPI women just four days before the government announcement, said: “I understand the concerns of WASPI women, having campaigned side by side with them on this issue since 2017.
“I have reflected upon the government’s decision following the statement made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding the impact of state pension age equalisation on women and the findings by the PHSO.
“I accept the statement of the Secretary of State that there is no evidence of “direct financial loss” for all affected women.
“Not all women were financially disadvantaged or affected to the same degree by the mistakes that were made in communicating pension age entitlement changes. Therefore, paying a flat rate to all women at a cost of up to £10.5 billion would not be fair or proportionate to taxpayers.”
But she added: “While I understand the decision not to make a blanket award to everyone, I am concerned that there are cases where some of the 1950s born women were financially disadvantaged by the maladministration of the previous government. I will therefore continue to work with and support WASPI women who find themselves in that situation.
“It is the responsibility of government to correct historic errors including those of previous administrations. I have clearly communicated to my Labour colleagues that WASPI women should be fairly compensating where their individual circumstances or situation warrants it.”
The Paisley Daily Express revealed last month how the Renfrewshire branch of WASPI said they felt “betrayed” by the Labour party. Kathleen Birney from the local group said women were “disgusted” a Labour government had turned its back on them.
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