WASPI hopes of women’s compensation dashed as state pension age law delayed ahead of 2024 general election

Plans to claim compensation for millions of WASPI women affected by State Pension age changes are on hold today. The State Pension Age (Compensation) Bill is set to be delayed as Parliament dissolves on 30 May 2024, ahead of the general election scheduled for 4 July.

However, Alan Brown, the SNP MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, has vowed to bring his bill back to the table if he is re-elected and if the next government fails to tackle the issue promptly. Mr Brown had aimed to introduce his proposed legislation for a second reading in July after two previous postponements, but will now face an indefinite delay.

The Bill requires the Secretary of State to draw up proposals for a compensation scheme for women affected by increases in the state pension age. The campaign group WASPI – Women Against State Pension Inequality – has actively campaigned for the rights of many women affected.

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When the bill was originally proposed, Mr Brown remarked: “Like so many injustices created by Westminster, the lack of resolution for the 3.8 million WASPI women is a disgrace. from 60 to 66 just when they were about to retire and it was too late to do proper financial planning. Many were already ill or worse, and others had taken early retirement and planned to make it into their 60s. they thought they would receive the state pension”.

“For nine years, this place has debated this matter, hearing individual harrowing stories, with many MPs, across the House, pledging to do all they can to help those women. But for nine years, the Government ignored their plight. They hoped that the WASPI women would go away, but they didn’t, although sadly 40,000 die every year without receiving any form of compensation, and around 240,000 have already tragically died without compensation,” reports Birmingham. Live.

“For those now trying to make the most of retirement while facing a cost of living crisis, surveys have found that half of WASPI women have struggled to pay essential bills in the past six months and, worse, a quarter struggled to buy. We know it is an injustice, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman considered as early as July 2021 that the Department for Work and Pensions was guilty of a lack of direct communication on compensation.”

He added: “The aim of this bill is to bring forward parliamentary intervention to stop those affected women waiting any longer. Fair and speedy compensation is the simple scheme that WASPI women are looking for, using at least level 5 of the ombudsman’s scale – realistically, however, level 6 of the PHSO bands is most appropriate – and this bill could provide a framework simple”.

Compensation would range from £3,000 to £9,950 per person at level 5, while the maximum compensation of £10,000 or more is offered at level 6. The ombudsman, however, recommended level 4 offering a lower amount, ranging from £1,000 to £2,950. .

Mr Brown expressed his view: “We are talking about a practical resolution, one that does not result in astronomical sums per person. A reversal of the retirement age to 60 is not required, and it is not a full return of pensions for those. marred by mismanagement – no matter how beautiful a result.”

He also stated that, “WASPI women understand that there is no such thing as a blank check from the Treasury; they are practical and want to move on. Having said that, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the UK government has saved £200 billion from the decision to equalize the state pension age to 66.”

Reacting to his proposals being shelved as of today, Mr Brown told the Express: “Unfortunately, it is simply being ‘killed’ as possible legislation. I’m very disappointed that I drafted the legislation and I don’t at least get a chance to make legislation. second reading.”

He further expressed his dismay stating “I am even more disappointed that the Government has not responded to the PHSO (Parliamentary and Health Service Solicitor) report nor proposed any form of compensation. And in many ways I’m more frustrated that Labour, as the official opposition, hasn’t. come up with any suggestions.”

On election, Mr. Brown intends to revive the bill. Explaining his intention, he said: “I would intend to bring it back as an MPs Bill if the Government of the day did nothing. It is also important that the SNP support compensation, so we would work together to get support.” .

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