Gordon MP repeats call to Pensions Minister: Start compensation preparations for WASPI women
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Gordon MP Richard Thomson has repeated his call to the UK Government to start the process of issuing compensatory payments to WASPI women affected by the changes to their state pensions.
During 2021, the findings of an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, condemned the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for “maladministration” in relation to changes to women’s state pensions.
Following research carried out for the WASPI campaign by Statista last year which showed nearly quarter of a million women have died waiting for pension compensation by the end of this year, Mr Thomson urged the then Pensions Minister Guy Opperman to start the process of implementing compensatory payments, or interim payments, to those affected.
The official @WASPI_Campaign tweeted in the last few days that 250,000 women have now died, prompting Mr Thomson to repeat his call, this time to the new Pensions Minister, Laura Trott MP.
Commenting, Richard Thomson MP said: “This is a tragic milestone which has been reached in this long fight for justice, but the WASPI campaigners are absolutely right to highlight it.
“The Ombudsman’s findings vindicated the campaign by WASPI and condemned the DWP for failing to provide “accurate, adequate and timely” information about changes to the state pension age for women.
“While I appreciate the Ombudsman’s work is not yet complete, the findings to date excoriate the UK Government and if they had any moral compass at all they would surely start the compensation process now.
"I have taken the opportunity to write to the new Pensions Minister urging her to do the right thing to do for those affected.
“I know the WASPI women are determined to continue their fight for justice and I shall continue to look for ways to assist them in their campaign.”
