MPs Approve Compensation for Waspi Women in Landmark Vote

Edinburgh: The SNP pushed for a vote on a bill led by Stephen Flynn. This bill aims to compensate women born in the 1950s who were affected by pension age changes.

Last March, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman suggested compensation between £1,000 and £2,950. This was due to failures in how the Department for Work and Pensions communicated pension age changes.

Despite this recommendation, the Labour Government announced it wouldn’t provide compensation. The ombudsman called this decision “extremely unusual,” as most recommendations are followed.

After a debate, MPs voted 105 to 0 in favor of compensation. This vote is a significant step, but private members’ bills often struggle to become law without government support.

Flynn’s bill requires ministers to act on the ombudsman’s findings. Scottish Labour MP Brian Leishman supports the bill and will help move it forward.

Ten Labour MPs backed the bill, with Leishman being the only one from Scotland. Others included MPs from various regions, but most Labour MPs chose to abstain.

Last week, MSPs unanimously urged the UK Government to compensate Waspi women. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar criticized the government’s decision against compensation.

Waspi chair Angela Madden expressed hope after the Commons vote. She noted that many Labour MPs defied orders to abstain and supported compensation.

Green MSP Maggie Chapman criticized Labour and Tory MPs for not voting. She emphasized the need for change and accountability for the treatment of Waspi women.