‘We deserve better’: Labour warns against policy change on WASPI women’s pay
The Labour Party is facing criticism for reversing its support for women who say they are entitled to compensation because of the change to the retirement age.
In the mid-1990s, the government passed a law raising the retirement age for women over a decade to make it equal to men’s.
The coalition government then accelerated the timeline, but Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) argued that there was not enough warning to prepare, leaving millions of people suffering financially.
Earlier this year the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommended he be compensated after a five-year investigation.
Reeves questions Labour’s pledges
No announcement has been made under a Conservative government, but Sir Keir Starmer previously said Labour would “respond swiftly and take decisions”.
WASPI campaigners say this apparent promise has now been retracted by Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.
Speaking in Scotland, she recognised the “injustice” faced by women but said there was “no money set aside” for compensation.
“That’s enough.”
WASPI campaign chair Angela Madden warned the party not to turn its back on women if they take power next month.
“It’s been going on long enough,” she said.
“We are the sixth largest economy in the world and an independent monitor has recommended that we pay reparations.”
“We deserve better from both major parties.”
