A SCOTTISH Labour MP has said he is “appalled” at the UK Government’s decision not to pay compensation to Waspi women.
Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told the Commons the proposed payment scheme was not “fair or value for taxpayers’ money”.
MP for Alloa and Grangemouth Brian Leishman told the Commons: “Firstly I’d like to say I’m appalled at this announcement.
“I have campaigned with Waspi women, as have many parliamentary colleagues, and this is an incredible let-down.
“Waspi women in my opinion certainly do not need words of disappointment and they certainly do not need hollow statements. What they need is justice.
“Does the Secretary of State not agree with that?”
Kendall replied that she believed it was a “difficult decision” but also the “right and fair one”.
The 1995 Pensions Act and subsequent legislation raised the state pension age for women born on or after April 6, 1950.
However, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman investigated complaints that, since 1995, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) failed to provide accurate, adequate and timely information about the areas of state pension reform.
We also told how Kendall told SNP MP Kirsty Blackman that the Scottish Government should step in to pay Waspi women because the Labour Government will not.
Kendall did apologise on behalf of the Government for "maladministration" which led to a delay in letters outlining the changes being sent to the affected women.
The move has been met with widespread criticism with SNP MP Stephen Flynn sharing an image of Kendall previously campaigning alongside a Waspi woman.
He said: "This Labour Secretary of State is currently stating that her Government will not provide any financial compensation to the Waspi women.
"They are shameless."
Chair of the Waspi campaign Angela Madden meanwhile said the move would "make the likes of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump blush".
