A staggering number of Scots women are feeling the impact of the WASPI decision, prompting calls for urgent action and compensation from the UK Government
Edinburgh: Recent figures show that around 331,780 women in Scotland are affected by the WASPI situation. This has really got people talking.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats, who asked for this data, called the number “shocking.” They’re determined to stand up for these women after the UK Government decided not to offer any compensation.
With a debate coming up at Holyrood, they’re urging UK ministers to reconsider their stance. The Scottish Government is also pushing for compensation during this discussion.
It’s estimated that about 3.6 million women across the UK have been impacted by changes to their retirement age, which were first announced back in the 1990s. This was sped up under the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition more than ten years ago.
Unfortunately, there was a significant delay—28 months—before women were informed about these changes. Many have faced financial struggles and had to rethink their retirement plans because of this.
A report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman last year suggested that the Government should compensate these women due to the delay in communication. However, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall dismissed this idea, claiming the Government can’t afford the £10.5 billion it would take to fund it.
Beatrice Wishart, a Shetland MSP, expressed her frustration, saying that these figures show how many people in Scotland feel let down by the UK Government’s decision. She believes it’s disgraceful to ignore the Ombudsman’s recommendations.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Social Justice Secretary, emphasized that 336,000 women in Scotland deserve fair compensation for the UK Government’s mistakes. She insists it’s crucial for the Government to take responsibility and deliver a compensation package as soon as possible.
