The Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign (WASPI) has expressed disappointment after their cause was not mentioned in the Labour Party’s manifesto. Angela Madden, the chair of WASPI, expressed frustration at the party’s failure to include commitments to fair and fast compensation in their manifesto announcement.
Despite previously enjoying the backing of the majority of shadow cabinet members and the Leader of the Opposition himself, WASPI campaigners felt abandoned by Labour’s latest move. The disappointment was further compounded by the fact that many Labour MPs had previously supported the campaign for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) compensation to be paid out.
Ms Madden urged the Labour Party to reconfirm its support for the WASPI cause before the General Election on July 4, highlighting the need for millions of affected women to be properly represented. She also pointed out that the Liberal Democrats had pledged support for the WASPI cause in their manifesto, promising to ensure fair treatment and proper compensation for women born in the 1950s.
Conversely, the Conservative Party refused to make any commitments to providing compensation, stating that they are carefully considering the Ombudsman report into WASPI women and will work with Parliament to provide an appropriate and swift response.
The WASPI cause has also gained support from other political parties, including the Scottish National Party (SNP) and George Galloway’s Workers Party of Britain. A report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, released in March, recommended payouts of between £1,000 and £2,950 for the affected women. This prompted a debate on the issue in Parliament and a bill to set out how compensation would work, reaching a first reading.
The Work and Pensions Committee also supported calls for compensation and urged the Government to take action on the issue. Despite the dissolution of Parliament for the General Election, these efforts may serve as a precedent for future action on the issue.
It is clear that the issue of DWP compensation for the WASPI women remains a contentious one, with various political parties taking different stances in their respective manifestos. With the General Election approaching, it is essential that the voices of the affected women are heard and their concerns are addressed by the political parties vying for their votes. For the latest personal finance news, follow us on Twitter at @ExpressMoney_.