Rise in State Pension (WASPI)

My Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Colleagues and I have consistently backed calls for women born in the 1950s who have been affected by pension changes to receive appropriate compensation for the Government’s failure to properly notify them. We made a manifesto commitment to ensure those affected women are treated fairly and properly compensated, and we will continue to press the Government until a just and fair outcome is reached.

As you know, on 17th December 2024, Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, rejected any form of financial compensation.

This contradicts Labour’s previous commitment to support the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s recommendation for compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950 for each of those affected.

It’s deeply disappointing that the new government has changed its view and has let down millions of pension-age women who have been wronged through no fault of their own, ignoring the independent Ombudsman’s recommendations.

My Liberal Democrat Parliamentary colleagues and I have not given up and will continue to press ministers to ensure that those affected receive fair treatment.

Steve Darling, our DWP spokesperson, said:

“The Government’s decision is nothing short of a betrayal of WASPI women. I know that across the country, millions of women will be shocked and horrified by this decision. That the Government has inherited a difficult economic situation is no excuse. That these women are bearing the consequences of mistakes made by the Tories, and now Labour is using that as a shield, is simply wrong-headed. Will the Secretary of State reflect on this decision?”