Labour backbenchers insurgent over WASPI girls compensation package deal which was blocked by Keir Starmer
Ten Labour backbenchers have thrown their support behind a new law that would give compensation to Waspi women in a clear show of defiance against Sir Keir Starmer‘s decision to block a payout.
The rebels were among the 105 MPs to give permission for SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn to introduce the Women’s State Pension age (Ombudsman report and compensation scheme) Bill to the House of Commons for further consideration.
The Bill would require ministers to publish measures to address the findings of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) report, which recommended the UK Government pay compensation to women born in the 1950s whose state pension age was raised so it would be equal with men.
The watchdog said the women should be paid up to £2,950 each, a package with a potential total cost of £10.5 billion to the public purse, as poor communication meant they had lost out on the chance to plan their retirement finances.
An estimated 3.8million women born between April 6, 1950, and April 5, 1960, were affected by a change to the state pension age from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020.
They say they suffered financially and were left worse off in retirement because they were not given enough notice about it happening.
The Labour Government last month ruled out a compensation package despite Prime Minister Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves being among the senior ministers to support the Waspi campaign when Labour was in opposition.
The division list showed supporters of Mr Flynn’s Bill included Labour MPs Jonathan Brash (Hartlepool), Julia Buckley (Shrewsbury), Neil Duncan-Jordan (Poole), Chris Hinchliff (North East Hertfordshire), Terry Jermy (South West Norfolk), Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth), Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields), Melanie Onn (Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes), Jon Trickett (Normanton and Hemsworth) and Steve Witherden (Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr).
Prime Minister Keir Starmer talks during a meeting with business leaders in central London — January 28, 2025
SNP WASPI campaigners wait to meet with SNP Leader John Swinney in Glasgow, Scotland — June 7, 2024
The vote was viewed as a symbolic show of support for the compensation proposal as private members’ bills introduced by MPs face a battle to become law if they do not receive Government support and fail to secure parliamentary time to clear the necessary stages.
Ms Lewell-Buck said she has always made clear that Waspi campaigners have her support.
She said in a statement: ‘Prior to today I had asked for Parliament to vote on the matter and just a few weeks ago I spoke in a parliamentary debate reaffirming my steadfast support for the Waspi women.
‘I will always stand by my words and promises and act on them when there is an opportunity to do so. Today I did just that.’
Mr Leishman said in a video message: ‘Today in Parliament I voted for justice for Waspi women. This is the right thing for this Labour Government to do.’
Mr Trickett said there are more than 6,000 Waspi women in his constituency, writing on X: ‘I’ve always supported their campaign and so have voted in the House of Commons today for pension justice.’
Waspi campaigners stage a protest on College Green in Westminster, London, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her Budget — October 30, 2024
Waspi campaigners and their supporters demonstrate in Parliament Square on Budget Day — October 30, 2024
Sir Keir pictured posing with Waspi campaigners in 2018 while Labour was in opposition
Waspi campaigners and their supporters demonstrate in Parliament Square on Budget Day calling for compensation for all women born in the 1950s — October 30, 2024
Waspi campaigners stage a protest on College Green in Westminster, London — October 30, 2024
Mr Witherden said supporting the Waspi campaign was a pledge he made when selected, adding on X: ‘I stated last month that I would be working with colleagues to push for a solution. As such, I voted this evening for a motion in favour of compensation.’
The SNP’s Mr Flynn had earlier told the Commons: ‘This Bill seeks to do the right thing by those people who we made a promise to.’
He read out remarks previously made by Sir Keir and other ministers in support of the Waspi campaign before adding: ‘This is a defining issue.
‘Many of us in the last parliament watched on as a TV show changed the mind of the Government in respect of the Post Office Horizon (scandal).
‘Many of us watched on as Parliament itself forced the Government to change tack when it came to the infected blood scandal.
‘Many of us have spoken about the Equitable Life scandal, the Hillsborough disaster, the loan charge debacle and, indeed, the Waspi campaign.
‘Defining issues of that last parliament can still be defining issues of this Parliament but only if the Government acts to provide the compensation and redress that these women so badly deserve.’
Mr Flynn introduced his Bill using the 10-minute rule process.
This allowed him up to 10 minutes to make a speech on why he wanted to introduce his PMB.
Such motions are rarely opposed as their approval simply means a Bill has received a first reading, which involves having its title being read out and an order for the Bill to be printed.
Mr Flynn asked for his Bill to be considered further at second reading on March 7.
In December, Mrs Reeves defended the decision to block the compensation despite having previously been photographed backing the campaign.
In a media interview, the Chancellor said the massive payout was not ‘the best use of taxpayers’ money’ and suggested only a small number of women has been unaware of the change.
In 2022, Sir Keir signed a pledge calling for the women affected to receive ‘fair and fast’ compensation. Last year, he said they had faced a huge injustice’.
But in December, the Prime Minister said the Government could not afford it.
The decision triggered a wave of anger with Angela Madden, chairman of the Waspi group, describing it as an ‘insult’.