Scottish Labour MPs are in revolt over their own Government’s decision not to compensate Waspi (Women Against State Pension Age Inequality) women.
Lillian Jones became the latest MP to criticise the Labour Government for failing to reimburse women born in the 1950s affected by the change to state pension age.
The Kilmarnock and Loudon MP said she was “disappointed” by the Government and urged it to rethink its decision. She said claims “most 1950s-born women knew that the state pension age was increasing is not accurate.”
She blasted: “Government is difficult, but that is not a valid excuse.”
It comes after Labour’s Alloa and Grangemouth MP Brian Leishman told the Record last week that he would vote against the Government on Waspi compensation if it comes to a vote. Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP Elaine Stewart has also said she would vote to help Waspi women following the injustice they have faced.
Jones said in a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday afternoon: “I am very disappointed by the Government’s decision not to fully implement the PHSO recommendation to pay compensation.”
She continued: “Claiming that most 1950s-born women knew that the state pension age was increasing is not accurate. That statistic is from a 2006 survey that referred to a general awareness across the whole population about future changes to the state pension age. It did not ask whether people knew about the specific impact of state pension age changes on them as individuals, and only around 5% of survey respondents were 1950s-born women.
“For many, the abrupt change meant they were left with fewer financial resources, longer working years and, in some cases, significant personal distress, especially for women in low-paid jobs. The financial hardship that Waspi women have experienced is a direct consequence of the pension age increase. The parliamentary ombudsman ruled that the national financial challenges should not be a barrier to awarding compensation.
“Although compensating Waspi women may not be an easy administrative task, that is not a reason for avoiding action. Government is difficult, but that is not a valid excuse.”
She added: “Every woman has a right to be able to plan for a dignified and secure retirement. I therefore urge the Government to look again at the ombudsman’s recommendations, do the right thing and ensure that Waspi women get the financial justice that they so deserve.”
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) final report stated that “Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy” and recommended compensation equivalent to level four on its banding scale, which is worth between £1,000 and £2,950.
This would have been a total cost of £3.5 and £10.5 billion, according to the UK Government. A recent poll showed that Scottish Labour has fallen to fifth place among older voters.
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