Local Lib Dem MP Steve Darling has lambasted the Government’s decision to reject financial compensation for 1950s-born women affected by changes to the State Pension age, calling it “a day of shame for the Government.”
In his response to the Government’s announcement yesterday, Steve said: “Today is a day of shame for the Government. “The new Government has turned its back on millions of pension-age women who were wronged through no fault of their own, ignoring the independent Ombudsman’s recommendations, and that is frankly disgraceful.”
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) had identified maladministration in how changes to the State Pension age were communicated to women born in the 1950s, leaving many unable to adequately prepare for their retirement.
Despite this, the Government has refused to implement a compensation scheme, citing high costs and logistical challenges.
Steve criticised this decision as a continuation of Conservative mismanagement: “The Conservative Party left our economy in a shambles, but asking wronged pensioners to pay the price of their mismanagement is simply wrong.”
The Liberal Democrats have long supported the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign and pressed for a fair compensation scheme. Steve Darling MP reaffirmed this commitment:
“For years, Liberal Democrats have pushed the Government to fairly compensate WASPI women in line with the Ombudsman’s recommendations. Today’s heartless decision cannot be allowed to stand, and we will be pressing ministers to give those affected the fair treatment they deserve.”
“This is nothing short of a betrayal for WASPI women,” Steve added in the Chamber and it is shocking “that the Government is taking a pick and mix approach with the ombudsman findings.” Steve concluded by urging the Government to reconsider its position, emphasizing that justice must be served for the women who have been unjustly affected.
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