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MP’s dismay as UK Government rejects call to start compensation preparations for WASPI women


By David Porter

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The WASPI campaign continues to fight against pension inequality
The WASPI campaign continues to fight against pension inequality

Gordon MP Richard Thomson has reacted with dismay after the UK Government rejected his call 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.

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.

Following research carried out for the WASPI campaign by Statista which show nearly quarter of a million women will have died waiting for pension compensation by the end of this year, Mr Thomson urged Pensions Minister Guy Opperman to start the process of implementing compensatory payments, or interim payments, to those affected.

Commenting, Richard Thomson MP said:“Some of the comments I received directly or were posted online by those affected after I made this call are simply heart-rending.

"It should shame the UK Government into taking action when WASPI women are telling stories of losing friends or relatives before they have been able to retire and enjoy life because of the changes to pension age.

“The Pensions Minister should be able to see the direction of travel here.

"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.

"It would simply be 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."


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