Keir Starmer warned it might be ‘Boris-esque’ to disregard WASPI compensation report

WASPI campaigners have warned Keir Starmer that failing to commit to compensation would be “Boris-esque”.

The Labour leader last week blasted the Government for not responding to a bombshell watchdog report calling for payouts. But he has yet to say if he will sign off on a compensation package for victims of the state pension age shambles.

In a letter to Mr Starmer, campaigners from the Women Against State Pension Inequality ( WASPI ) group say Labour MPs have been “endlessly supportive” of calls for justice. But they say it would be a “travesty” if a Labour Government doesn’t deliver.

Tens of thousands of women born in the 1950s were plunged into poverty when the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) failed to properly inform them the pension age was going up. In March the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman suggested women should get £1,000 to £2,950 each. Its report called on Parliament to urgently set up a compensation scheme.

But the Government had not responded when Parliament was dissolved last month. In their letter to Mr Starmer, WASPI co-ordinators wrote: “Over the past nine years of our campaigning, Labour MPs have been endlessly supportive, standing in photographs with WASPI, sympathising and calling on Conservative ministers to offer compensation.

“You yourself told the Daily Mirror in April 2023 that WASPI women ‘have been put in an awful position, a position they shouldn’t be put in. It’s a huge injustice.’ However, the 3.6m women affected are now increasingly concerned that as Labour gets closer to power, its commitment to us ebbs. As the party of social justice, this would surely be a travesty.”

It went on: “On no other issue in the election, are you asking voters to hope for the best. We presume your manifesto will set out clear plans on everything from defence to local government. It must do the same for WASPI women.

“You have understandably been cautious about ‘unfunded commitments’, but you will also be aware that changes to the female State Pension age have saved the Treasury more than £180bn. Any compensation scheme will cost a fraction of that sum.”

And referring to the report, they warned: “It is ‘Boris-esque’ just to ignore its recommendations.” While campaigning to be Tory leader, Mr Johnson said he was would “see what I can do to sort it out”.

Around 3.5million women would be entitled to payments and an apology, costing between £3.5billion and £10.5billion if the watchdog’s call is answered. But Mr Starmer refused to commit to swift payments if he becomes PM, saying he wouldn’t make promises the country can’t afford.

Failures by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) meant millions of women born in the 1950s didn’t know the state pension age was rising from 60 to 65, and then to 66. WASPI leaders say one victim dies every 13 minutes and warned no more time can be wasted. Campaigners believe affected women lost an average of £50,000 in state pension payments.

This plunged tens of thousands into poverty, and tragically an estimated 270,000 women have died without receiving payment or an apology.

A Labour spokesman said: “These women have been through so much and have campaigned tirelessly on this issue. It’s only right that we consider this report with the seriousness it deserves because lessons must be learnt. The Ombudsman rightly said that it was for the government to respond. The Secretary of State promised to update Parliament but has failed to do so.

“Like many other issues, the government has kicked it into the long grass, despite having months to respond, leaving so many in the dark. Only they have the appropriate level of detail and engagement with the Ombudsman, and if we’re privileged enough to come into office, we’ll pick that work up at pace, and reach a judgment.”