The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign has received a significant boost to their bid for compensation, despite the Labour government stating that no payours will be given. But, a potential revolt among Labour MPs and opposition parties could see WASPI women receiving payouts after all.
The Liberal Democrats are poised to push for a Commons vote on the matter when Parliament reconvenes in January, with deputy leader Daisy Cooper MP indicating she could force a vote on the issue. Making matters worse for Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer, rumours indicate that as many as 100 Labour MPs might defy the government’s stance and support compensation, while his opponents look set to make political headway.
Cooper said: “We’re very angry about it and we do think the Government needs to think again. I think what you can see is that there are MPs of all political parties, including on Labour’s own back benches, who are very concerned. »
Adding to this pressure, a recent survey of nearly 11,000 women born in the 1950s affected by the pension changes has revealed a surge in support for Reform UK, which now stands at 24 percent. Meanwhile, Conservative support is at 13 percent, with Labour trailing at just seven percent following their announcement.
A quarter of WASPI women remain undecided about their voting intentions, and eight per cent have decided not to vote at all. Thirty percent of those surveyed expressed support for Labour, 18 percent for the Conservatives, and 15 percent for Reform UK.
Many feel betrayed after receiving support before the General Election from Labour MPs, including DWP boss Liz Kendall, but have seen Labour choose not to follow the findings of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman – who recommended payouts of up to £2950 for affected women.
However, facing a « £22 billion black hole » in their economic figures as well as other large compensation schemes such as those for the victims of the Post Office and the infected blood scandals, ministers ruled out handing over any taxpayer money to women affected by the change in the State Pension age.
Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, said: « The findings show the stark electoral price of Labour’s betrayal of WAPSI women to ignore the findings of the independent Parliamentary Ombudsman. With overwhelming numbers of furious Labour MPs backing fair compensation for WASPI women, the Prime Minister must urgently change course and deliver on his previous commitments.
« I’m furious at the government’s decision to ignore the advice of the ombudsman and refusal to compensate Waspi women. What’s the point in having a lengthy and expensive review if you don’t pay it any heed?
« I along with many others have been waiting a long time to hear what our compensation would be, even though it would go nowhere near the £50,000 many of us lost. I didn’t imagine they would so easily dismiss our suffering as a result of government failure to give us time to plan. Labour has already removed the winter fuel allowance. One wonders what it will hit us with next. »
