WASPI campaigners blast Labour’s ‘lack of progress’ on compensation | Personal Finance | Finance
WASPI campaigners have voiced their frustration at the lack of movement from Labour on delivering their long-awaited compensation payouts.
As the new Government reaches 100 days in power this weekend, campaign bosses have hit out at the “lack of progress” despite many Labour MPs backing their cause.
The WASPI generation of women are demanding compensation as the 1950s-born women were affected when the state pension age went up from 60 to 65 for women.
They were not properly informed of the change by the DWP, meaning many did not plan their retirement finances around the change, forcing many to continue working while others struggled to get by.
Campaign chair, Angela Madden, said: “The Government campaigned on the grounds of being the party of social justice and of getting things done, yet as Labour marks 100 days in power, their lack of progress means ministers risk continuing the can-kicking of the Conservatives.
“Since the General Election, we have welcomed support from hundreds of Labour MPs and are pleased to see so many new MPs backing our calls for compensation.
“Like us, these MPs know that carrying out the recommendations of both the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Work and Pensions Select Committee without delay is the only remedy for this historic injustice.”
Top Labour MPs that have backed the cause include social security minister Sir Stephen Timms. He was previously chair of the Work and Pensions Committee during the last Government, which came out and called on the Government to set out compensation plans.
The Liberal Democrats and the SNP have both taken up the position that the WASPI women should get payouts, while the new chair of the Work and Pensions Committee is Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, a stalwart backer of the campaign.
Another means of on-going support at Westminster is an early day motion set up after the new Government formed, which calls for a “proper plan” for compensation.
At the time of writing, this has now been signed by 92 MPs including seven Labour MPs.
The seven Labour MPs pledging their support are:
- Jon Trickett
- Mary Kelly Foy
- John McDonnell
- Charlotte Nichols
- Grahame Morris
- Kim Johnson
- Jonathan Brash
In March this year, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman published a report saying the women should get compensation payouts, recommending payouts of between £1,000 and £2,950.
The WASPI women will be on the march later this month, as they will hold a demonstration outside Parliament on Budget day, October 30.
