New update on State Pension age compensation for millions of WASPI women
The Liberal Democrats and Greens north of the border have joined with the Scottish Government to call for compensation for 1950-born women affected by changes to their State Pension age. The parties co-signed a letter at the end of last week alongside Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville addressed to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
In December, the UK Government ruled out providing a compensation scheme for an estimated 3.6 million so-called WASPI women (Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign), despite numerous Labour politicians - Sir Keir, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall supporting campaigners while in opposition.
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In March 2024, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) recommended that the UK Government pay compensation to women born in the 1950s whose State Pension age was raised so it would be equal with men.
The Ombudsman said the women should be paid up to £2,950 each, a package with a potential total cost of £10.5 billion to the public purse, as poor communication meant they had lost out on the chance to plan their retirement finances.
In the letter, co-signed by Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater and Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, Ms Somerville said: “All MSPs in the Scottish Parliament were united with one voice that these women deserve compensation.
“Members across the chamber were clear that the delays and injustice our Waspi women have suffered must end and the UK Government must deliver on the PHSO recommendations.
“Therefore, in light of this unanimous vote I, along with the leaders of the Scottish Green Party and Scottish Liberal Democrats, urge you to reverse your position on this matter and deliver compensation immediately.
“It is time for the current UK Government to finally right the wrongs of the past and deliver justice for the Waspi women. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.”
The Scottish Government claims the Scottish Labour leadership declined to co-sign the correspondence.
The UK Government announcement caused consternation among Labour members north of the border, including from Scottish leader Anas Sarwar who stressed the decision was “deeply disappointing”.
Speaking in December, Mr Sarwar said: “I can completely understand, and I believe I was one of the ones that campaigned with them, had photographs with them, I was right to do that, I was right to campaign with them.
“I continue to stand with them in the face of their injustice.
“I think where there is justified frustration is in the blanket no compensation position.”
The letter comes as SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn increased the pressure on the UK Government over the issue.
Mr Flynn was given permission last week - with the backing of 10 Labour MPs - to introduce a Bill seeking compensation for the women impacted.
A spokesman for the UK Government said: “We accept the Ombudsman’s finding of maladministration and have apologised for there being a 28-month delay in writing to 1950s-born women.
“However, evidence showed only one in four people remember reading and receiving letters that they weren’t expecting and that by 2006 90 per cent of 1950s-born women knew that the State Pension age was changing.
“Earlier letters wouldn’t have affected this. For these and other reasons the Government cannot justify paying for a £10.5 billion compensation scheme at the expense of the taxpayer.”
