An Ayrshire Labour MP has called on the UK Government to rethink their decision not to compensate WASPI women.
Elaine Stewart, MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock has said that some WASPI women, “especially the poorest”, deserve to be compensated for the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) failure to properly administer changes to the state pension age.
Ms Stewart was previously photographed at an event run by WASPI campaigners at Westminster pledging to “vote for fair and fast compensation”.
Ayrshire WASPI group reacted with ‘disgust’ following the decision by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Government to deny them compensation.
A report published by the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman in March found that WASPI women should be compensated for the DWP’s failures.
Politicians in Ayrshire, including a number of SNP MSPs have already decried the decision and backed their constituents claims for fair compensation.
In response to an enquiry from Ayrshire Live, Ms Stewart said she would be meeting with WASPI women in her constituency as the fight for compensation continues.
Commenting, Ms Stewart said: “The Government was right to apologise for the delay in writing to 1950s-born women and acknowledge that there are lessons to be learned from this case.
“I believe these are important first steps. The reaction to this week’s announcement is clear disappointment from constituents and campaigners, which is why one of my first meetings back in the constituency this week is with local WASPI women.
“It is my view that some women, especially the poorest affected, deserve redress measures.”