WASPI campaigners issue scathing verdict on Labour Party manifesto | Personal Finance | Finance
WASPI campaigners were frustrated to see their cause was not mentioned in the Labour Party manifesto.
Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign), said: “It is hugely disappointing to see the party row back on their previous commitments to delivering fair and fast compensation in today’s manifesto announcement.
“WASPI has long enjoyed the backing of the majority of shadow cabinet members, and indeed the Leader of the Opposition himself.
“Despite warm words over many years, those who once claimed to be our biggest champions have now abandoned us at the last minute.”
Several MPs previously told Express.co.uk there should be compensation for the women, with one MP calling for payouts of £10,000 or more.
Ms Madden urged Labour to come out in support of the WASPI cause before the General Election on July 4.
She said: “With millions of affected women carefully considering how to cast their votes in the coming weeks, there is still time for Labour to reconfirm its support for those who have been so badly let down by the Conservatives.”
The Liberal Democrats have come out in support of the WASPI cause in their manifesto, pledging to ” ensure that women born in the 1950s are finally treated fairly and properly compensated”.
The Conservatives refused to commit to providing compensation, saying in their manifesto: “We are carefully considering the Ombudsman report into WASPI women and will work with Parliament to provide an appropriate and swift response.”
The WASPI cause has been backed by other political parties, including the SNP and George Galloway’s Workers Party of Britain.
A report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman came out in March, recommending payouts of between £1,000 and £2,950.
Since then, the cause had gained ground in Parliament, with a debate on the issue and a bill to set out how compensation would work reaching getting a first reading.
The Work and Pensions Committee also backed calls for compensation and had urged the Government to act on the issue.
These efforts have come to an end with the dissolution of Parliament for the General Election, but they may act as a precedent for future action on the issue.
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