JEREMY Corbyn has said that Keir Starmer and senior Labour figures – including Anas Sarwar – have “betrayed” Waspi women.
In an exclusive interview with The National, the former Labour leader took aim at the UK Government’s decision to not compensate women affected by changes to their retirement age, despite an ombudsman's recommendations.
Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) have long advocated for compensation and hit out at the move – as did parties from across the political spectrum.
“Waspi women have clearly been short-changed badly by the DWP [Department for Work and Pensions] and deserve justice,” Corbyn said, as he predicted they would eventually force a U-turn.
The independent MP for Islington North further said the refusal to pay compensation amounted to a betrayal from Prime Minister Starmer and senior Labour leaders, including Sarwar.
The Scottish Labour chief has regularly been pictured with Waspi campaigners for years, including women at Paisley's Sma' Shot Parade last year – walking behind a banner.
An initial statement from Scottish Labour spokesperson and MSP Paul O’Kane after the announcement said the party had hoped for “compromise”.
Amid further backlash, Sarwar has since broken his silence – telling ITV Border that he doesn’t think the UK Government made the “right decision”, suggesting some form of means-tested payment could have been offered.
But Corbyn said Scottish Labour need to be “more effective” in pushing the UK Government for change.
“That's why they were elected. They weren't elected just to accept this stuff,” he said.
“A lot of Waspi women voted Labour in 2019 and again in 2024 on that basis, so these things won't get forgotten.”
Corbyn also referenced Scottish Labour MP Brian Leishman (above) – who angrily hit out at the Waspi decision in the House of Commons yesterday – and said he wished more would speak up.
“The last five months, Labour MPs have not effectively challenged the UK Government on either the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment for the majority of older people or the ending of the utterly disgraceful two-child benefit cap,” he said.
“I suppose they get in a groove of not doing the right thing when they should. Well, they've got a chance now – speak up.”
Corbyn added that he believes that Keir Starmer’s Government are underestimating the “determination” of Waspi women.
“They've been campaigning on this for quite a lot of years. They're very good at it and they're not going to go away,” he said.
“So, this is going to be a running sore and, at some point, a minister is going to have to appear in Parliament and say they’ve reconsidered it and are making an offer.”
