Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his government are facing heavy criticism for rejecting compensation claims from millions of women affected by state pension age changes.
The decision has sparked accusations of betrayal, particularly as Labour had previously voiced strong support for the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign during their election campaign.
On Wednesday, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall dismissed calls to compensate the 3.8 million women impacted by the state pension age hike from 60 to 65.
Proposals for payouts between £1,000 and £2,950 per individual were ruled out, despite findings of maladministration by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).
Kendall defended the decision as “the right and fair decision,” citing concerns over taxpayer value and claiming earlier communication would not have made a significant difference for most women.
However, her remarks have been sharply criticised, given her past support for WASPI women and Labour’s election promises.
In an interview in 2022 as Labour leader, the PM said: “All your working life you’ve got in mind the date on which you can retire and get your pension, and just as you get towards it, the goalposts are moved and you don’t get it, and it’s a real injustice.”
Liz Kendall’s own website touts her as a “long-standing supporter” of the WASPI campaign, further fuelling accusations of a U-turn.
The government has accepted the PHSO’s finding of maladministration, acknowledging a 28-month delay in notifying 1950s-born women about the pension changes. However, it has refused to pay up to £10.5 billion in compensation.
Rebecca Hilsenrath, the Parliamentary Ombudsman, criticised the decision, “What we don’t expect is for an acknowledgement to be made by a public body that it’s got it wrong but then refuse to make it right for those affected.”
The WASPI group echoed this sentiment, with Chair Angela Madden calling the decision “bizarre and totally unjustified,” adding that it undermines the role of the ombudsman, “This feels like a decision that would make the likes of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump blush.”
The decision has provoked anger from supporters, campaigners, and the media. During a heated Sky News interview, Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali faced criticism from presenter Kay Burley, who accused Labour of breaking campaign promises, “Labour made a promise time and time again. Now you’ve literally said, ‘nah, sorry, it’s not happening.’”
Ali offered an apology on behalf of the government, stating, “Lessons need to be learned for the future and I absolutely understand this is really, really difficult.”
WASPI campaigners have urged the government to reconsider, accusing it of ignoring the ombudsman’s recommendations and letting down millions of women.
They continue to press for compensation, citing the emotional and financial impact of the state pension age changes.
