ITV has been urged to make a Mr Bates vs the Post Office-style drama about the Waspi scandal.
SNP MP Graham Leadbitter said the broadcaster behind the agenda-setting TV show should turn its attention to the plight of women denied compensation for changes to the state pension age.
In a letter to ITV boss Carolyn McCall, Leadbitter said that Mr Bates vs the Post Office had “captured the nation” and argued that without it “we may never have seen a government finally address the injustice” faced by sub-postmasters.
Now, he said, it was time for the Waspi scandal to get the same treatment.
“Clearly the Government is tuned into ITV dramas, so I hope you’ll consider the prospect of commissioning one based on the fight the Waspi women have been forced to take up after repeated refusals from this Government to give them what they’re due,” Leadbitter (below) said.
“Not only would it make for captivating viewing, it would help bring this scandal to the attention of the entire country and hopefully force the Government to act, just as they did in the wake of ‘Mr Bates vs the Post Office’.”
Speaking to The National, Leadbitter said that while his call “might be seen as a tongue in cheek effort” he was making a serious point.
He added: “Over the course of decades the Horizon scandal ruined thousands of lives, criminalised and forced many into deep financial distress, and drove people to suicide.
“Just as the Government allowed that to continue for years, they’re now casting aside the impassioned pleas from 50s-born women, and the parliamentary ombudsman, by refusing to deliver financial redress and justice again.
“Mr Bates vs the Post Office captured the attention of millions across the country who were appalled to learn what the UK Government had ignored, but more importantly it captured the attention of the Government who, within days of it airing, finally addressed the scandal.”
Leadbitter said it was a “grim reality that the Government is seemingly more interested in listening to actors on TV dramas than real people” but added that “if that’s going to be the case we may as well lean into it”.
The Waspi campaign was set up to gain compensation for women who were unaware of changes to the state pension age which were rushed through by the Conservatives.
The changes came as a surprise to many women who suddenly found they had to wait six extra years to receive their state pension.
A report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman last year which recommended a payout for every woman affected of between £1000 and £2950 – which the Government estimates would cost as much as £10 billion.
Labour have flatly rejected calls for a universal compensation scheme as recommended by the ombudsman, arguing that the “vast majority” of those affected knew about the changes.
ITV was approached for comment.
