Waspi women latest: Starmer accused of ‘breaking promise’ as he denies ‘misleading’ women over compensation
Starmer’s Labour was accused of broken promises at PMQs over its decision not to pay compensation to 3.8 million Waspi women
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Mother of the House Diane Abbott has accused the Labour government of breaking a previous promise to compensate the Waspi women, as Sir Keir Starmer was grilled in PMQs.
Calls for women born in the 1950s to receive thousands in compensation were rejected yesterday by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall. The Waspi women say they were not properly aware of the rise in state pension age from 60 to 65, and that it has affected their retirement plans.
“We did promise them that we would give them justice,” Ms Abbott said. “I understand the issue about the cost, but does the prime minister really understand how let down Waspi women feel today?”
Andy McDonald, who was shadow employment rights minister between 2020 and 2021, wrote to the Prime Minister to say “the Government has made the wrong decision”.
“I urge you to reconsider this decision in the interests of justice for women denied a fair settlement,” he added.
Labour’s refusal of compensation comes despite the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) ruling that affected women were due compensation of typically £1,000 to £2,950 each.
Downing Street said Sir Keir does not accept that he “misled” Waspi campaigners by backing their calls for compensation.
All of Starmer’s ‘betrayals’ and U-turns as Labour faces Waspi women backlash
Waspi women’s fury as Starmer says they knew about pension change
As a ‘cuspy Waspi’ woman, I have another reason to be furious with Labour’s pensions betrayal
From Waspi ‘betrayal’ to winter fuel cuts, Starmer’s U-turns will come back to haunt him
All of Starmer’s ‘betrayals’ and U-turns as Labour faces Waspi women backlash
All of Starmer’s ‘betrayals’ and U-turns as Labour faces Waspi women backlash
The Independent looks at all the times Sir Keir Starmer has let voters down or outright U-turned on his promises on the journey from Labour leader to prime minister
Scottish Labour leader ‘deeply disappointed’ by Waspi decision
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he was “deeply disappointed” by the “blanket” decision to not award compensation, and thinks that ministers “could have found a way forward”.
Speaking to STV News, Mr Sarwar said: “I can completely understand, and I believe I was one of the ones that campaigned with them, had photographs with them, I was right to do that, I was right to campaign with them.
“I continue to stand with them in the face of their injustice. I think where there is justified frustration is in the blanket no compensation position.”
He later added: “I think a blanket no compensation position is the wrong one and I’m deeply disappointed by that.
“I think we could have found a way forward that recognised the difficult public finances, that recognised the difficult inheritance.”
Waspi women’s fury as Starmer says they knew about pension change
Waspi women’s fury as Starmer says they knew about pension change
Waspi women are furious with Keir Starmer after PM appeared to blame them for his broken promise
Starmer faces pressure from own party over Waspi decision
Sir Keir Starmer is facing upset from his own party over the Government’s decision to not award compensation to Waspi women.
A former shadow employment minister is among those urging the Prime Minister to “reconsider” the decision, while another senior MP said that a lot of MPs are “very unhappy”.
The Prime Minister has insisted that taxpayers could not afford the £10.5 billion compensation package, but there have been calls for a vote or for Number 10 to reconsider.
Andy McDonald, who was shadow employment rights minister between 2020 and 2021, wrote to the Prime Minister to say “the Government has made the wrong decision”.
“I urge you to reconsider this decision in the interests of justice for women denied a fair settlement,” he said.
Watch: Diane Abbott’s seven-word Starmer snub over PM’s Waspi decision
Diane Abbott’s seven-word Starmer snub over PM’s Waspi decision
Dianne Abbott accused Sir Keir Starmer of having "no feel for politics" after Labour's decision to not award compensation to Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women. In March, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommended the government pay compensation to women born in the 1950s whose state pension age was raised so it would be equal to men. The prime minister has denied MPs a vote on the decision to rule out compensation. Speaking on Newsnight on Wednesday (18 December), Ms Abbott said: "Remember he’s on his big fat DPP pension. What does he know about ageing women?”
UK may send British troops to Ukraine to train soldiers, defence secretary suggests
UK may send British troops to Ukraine to train soldiers, defence secretary suggests
John Healey has said Britain needs to ‘make the training a better fit for what the Ukrainians need’ and left the door open to it taking place in the war-torn country
ICYMI: Waspi campaigners acccuse Starmer of spreading ‘dangerous misinformation’ over State Pension age changes
Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaigners have accused the Prime Minister of spreading “dangerous misinformation” in his defence of how State Pension age changes were communicated to women born in the 1950s.
Angela Madden, Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), said: “This isn’t just misleading; it’s an insult to millions of 1950s-born women who were blindsided by these changes. The Ombudsman’s findings were based on rigorous evidence showing that 60 per cent of women had no idea their own State Pension age was rising.
“The Government’s attempt to cherry-pick data to suggest otherwise is spreading dangerous misinformation, plain and simple.”
Ms Madden added: “The fact that 90 per cent of women had some general awareness of potential changes in the future does not mean they knew this would impact them personally.
“That is exactly why the Ombudsman identified maladministration and why this Government’s continued attempts to muddy the waters are so unacceptable.”
Starmer defends Waspi women ‘betrayal’ as MPs challenge him over broken promises
Waspi women’s fury as Starmer says they knew about pension change
Waspi women are furious with Keir Starmer after PM appeared to blame them for his broken promise
Full report: ‘Raw fury’ among Waspi women who say fight not over after Labour’s rejection of compensation payout
‘Raw fury’ among Waspi women who say fight not over after rejection of compensation
Campaigners are seeking legal advice after the Labour government said taxpayerrs could not afford the £10.5 billion compensation package
Government announces new funding to local councils
The Government has announced new funding in an attempt to fix the “dire straits” of local government finances, including £700 million extra for councils.
Local government minister Jim McMahon said councils across the country are “in crisis” after 14 years of Conservative-led governments.
“I take the responsibility to lead this Government’s work to rebuild the sector with the seriousness that it’s due and also with the urgency that’s required,” Mr McMahon said. This work has already begun, and today marks a major milestone in our mission to rebuild local government and to put councils on a firmer financial footing.”
He added: “This is why today I am announcing over £700 million of additional grant. This includes over £200 million of extra funding for social care since the policy statement.”
Mr McMahon said £515 million would be given to councils to help them with the rise in employers’ national insurance.
He said: “Taken together, the additional funding made available at this settlement and the Budget delivers over £5 billion of new funding for local services over and above local council tax.”
He went on to say: “We must ensure that public investment is used too for long-term prevention and the reform of local public services, rather than expensive short-term crisis responses which we know often have much worsening outcomes. We are determined to end the cycle of failure that we have seen for too long. We will provide certainty by making sure that no authority will see a reduction in their core spending power after accounting for council tax flexibilities next year.”
DELETE
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments