Analysis of speeches and statements in major UK news outlets

Labour Government Rejects £10.5bn Compensation for 3.6 Million 'WASPI Women'; Keir Starmer Defends Decision

Dec 17, 2024, 01:24 PM

The UK Labour government has announced that it will not provide financial compensation to women born in the 1950s who were affected by changes to the state pension age. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed the decision in the House of Commons, stating that while acknowledging the maladministration identified by the Parliamentary Ombudsman, she concluded that "there should be no scheme of financial compensation to 1950s-born women." The Ombudsman had recommended compensation, identifying an appropriate amount between £1,000 and £2,950 per person, with a total potential cost of up to £10.5 billion. Approximately 3.6 million women, known as 'WASPI women' (Women Against State Pension Inequality), claim they were not properly informed of the increase in the state pension age from 60 to 66, resulting in significant financial hardship. Sir Keir Starmer defended the decision, stating that compensating the women would "burden the taxpayer." The announcement has sparked criticism from campaigners and several MPs. Jeremy Corbyn called the decision a "betrayal" and questioned whose side the government is on, while John McDonnell expressed that the women would consider this a betrayal and might not "go away quietly." The decision, delivered just before Christmas, has intensified the disappointment among those affected.