The NPC wants an immediate parliamentary debate on the government’s shock decision not to compensate 50’s born women whose retirement age was rapidly raised from 60 to 66.
The UK’s largest campaign group run for and by older people believes the decision announced by Work and Pension’s Minister Liz Kendall flies in the face of the findings of the independent Ombudsman who recommended the WASPI women – Women Against State Pension Inequality - were due compensation for claims of lack of notice and losing years of state pension.
We also find the defence offered by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Liz Kendall, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves – that they are protecting taxpayers by not paying up - was bizarre and misleading. Just as their withdrawal of the universal winter fuel payment simply did not take into account the impact on millions of older people – including a high proportion of older women – still on the old basic state pension, which is almost half the living wage.
‘Bizarre’ claim they are protecting taxpayers is misleading
Jan Shortt, General Secretary, NPC commented: “WASPI women have been betrayed by Work and Pensions’ Minister Liz Kendall who says not she cannot offer them compensation because she needs to save taxpayers money. She also said that giving the women earlier notice of the rapid rise in their retirement age would not have made any difference.
We at the NPC beg to differ. Earlier formal notice would have allowed all women to make informed decisions about their income, work and pension.
It would also have enabled women to consider the impact not just on themselves, but on their families. Remember, older women are among the lowest paid and generally have the lowest pensions, so they do not have a lot of leeway with their retirement income.”
Jan added: “WASPI women campaigners have our full support and we will be there whenever they decide the next step in their fight for justice.
Liz Kendall should be mindful that she has made an error of judgement and take the opportunity to put it right. Ms Kendall fails to acknowledge that a full and lengthy investigation took place into the way the women’s retirement age was raised, with the outcome being that the DWP had made administrative errors leading to a proposal for compensation.
“The betrayal of WASPI women on the premise of protecting taxpayers is quite bizarre. If the government wishes to protect the taxpayer, why are they so supportive of tax havens and very slow to ensure that the wealthy pay all the tax they should. Wealth kept in British overseas territories is wealth taken out of the UK economy never to be seen again.
“WASPI women have worked and paid their tax and pension contributions, and it is totally unjust to deny them a payment of any kind. Thousands of women have died waiting for justice, others have had to sell homes to be able to live, many live in poverty unable to find work. In the 6th richest economy in the world, this is a is a disgraceful situation.
“I will be contacting the Chair of WASPI, Angela Madden, who spoke at our recent Winter Fuel Payment Lobby of Parliament - to discuss how we can support the next steps in their campaign.”
The NPC believes the assertion of the government today that there will be no parliamentary debate on the issue of non-payment of compensation to WASPI women is insulting and undemocratic.
Jan said: “Our members and affiliates are also being encouraged to write to their local MPs to complain about yet another terrible decision by this government involving older people, and to call for a full parliamentary debate on the issue.”
ENDS
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