Campaigners for “Waspi women” affected by the rising state pension age reacted angrily after Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed they would not be compensated. Kendall told MPs the government accepted ombudsman findings that her department failed to communicate the changes effectively.
But she rejected its recommendation for a flat-rate compensation scheme, paying out £1,000 to £2,950 to each of the more than 3 million women affected.
Explaining the decision, Kendall cited a 2006 survey indicating that 90% of women in the relevant age group were aware of the planned changes. “Since the vast majority knew the state pension age was rising, the government doesn’t believe a £10.5bn flat-rate payment would be fair or proportionate to taxpayers,” she told MPs.
Angela Madden, chair of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign, condemned the decision, calling it "bizarre and totally unjustified." She added, "It raises questions about the purpose of an ombudsman if ministers can simply ignore their findings. It feels like a move that would make even Boris Johnson and Donald Trump blush."
Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesperson Steve Darling called it a “day of shame” for Labour, accusing the government of turning its back on millions of wronged pension-age women and ignoring the ombudsman’s recommendations. SNP spokesperson Kirsty Blackman labeled the decision a “devastating betrayal” of Waspi women, noting Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar had previously supported their campaign for justice.
