WASPI women hit by changes to the state pension age say Labour has turned its back on them, after Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves rejected their claim for compensation
Women affected by changes to the state pension age have accused the government Work Party that turns its back on them, to Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves rejected their claim for damages.
The Shadow Chancellor has sparked outrage after saying in her election manifesto that she would make no provision to compensate affected women, in what is seen as a major U-turn.
In March, a long-awaited ruling revealed that millions of women born in the 1950s had been abandoned by the government and could be owed up to £10.5 billion in payouts.
The Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman said affected women had ‘lost the opportunities to make informed decisions about their finances’ due to mismanagement by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Key members of the Shadow Cabinet, including Sir Keir Starmerhave previously supported the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign.
Pictured: People at a Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) protest outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on April 18 this year
Pictured: Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, rejecting the women’s claim for compensation
Ms Reeves is even pictured holding a sign that reads: ‘I will work with WASPI to identify and provide resolution to all women affected.’
The ruling was initially hailed as a major victory for the long-fought WASPI campaign, but activists now fear they may not receive a payout.
The Tories have refused to commit to any payout and Labour, whose responsibility it could be after the general election, has now seemingly followed suit.
Ms Reeves told Daily Business: ‘Our manifesto will be published shortly but I have said we will not put anything forward that is not fully budgeted and funded and I have not allocated any money for this.’
Angela Madden, from the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, criticized Labour’s “disdain” for the Ombudsman’s ruling.
Pictured: Women from the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign gather outside Parliament during Prime Minister’s Questions on International Women’s Day on March 8 last year
Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), Angela Madden (pictured)
Pictured: People at a Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) protest outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on April 18 this year
She said, “This has gone on long enough. While politicians hesitate and delay, affected women are dying at a rate of one every thirteen minutes.
‘There is no point in having an Ombudsman if governments – both blue and red – simply ignore its recommendations. And Rachel Reeves certainly cannot say that a Labor government would simply show willful disregard for his conclusions. We deserve better from both major parties.’
In a letter to Ms Reeves, campaigners said: ‘With Labor just a stone’s throw away from power… hundreds of thousands of WASPI women are already feeling badly let down as it appears Labor is preparing to take us out at the eleventh hour to turn your back. ‘
