Brian Mathew backs Parliamentary Motion calling for WASPI compensation

Brian Mathew MP has supported a Parliamentary Motion calling for WASPI women to be compensated.

The motion, tabled by Wendy Chamberlain, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Work and Pensions, calls for the new Labour Government to act on the recommendations set out in the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s report. The report states that women born in the 1950s have suffered significant financial loss due to maladministration by the Department of Work and Pensions and deserve compensation as a result. The report was first published in July 2021 and the final report was published in May 2024.

The Liberal Democrats were the first party to pledge WASPI compensation which neither Labour nor the Conservatives did prior or during the 2024 General Election campaign.

With more than one hundred 1950s women dying each day, many of whom suffering and dying without compensation, the Liberal Democrats are once again calling on the Government to urgently implement a compensation plan following the Ombudsman’s recommendations.

Angela Madden, Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), said:

“We are grateful to have the support of hundreds of MPs across the Commons and look forward to working cross-party to see fair and fast compensation delivered as quickly as possible in the new Parliament.

“Many MPs have backed our campaign for justice to date, including the Prime Minister himself. With one WASPI woman dying every 13 minutes, we have no more time for dither or delay.”

Brian Mathew said:

“It is a disgrace that after failing WASPI women years ago, the DWP are still failing them now. “The DWP has had ample time to act on the reports received over the last three years, and yet there is still no appropriate compensation scheme in place, and no recognition of their role in the distress these women have suffered.

“The DWP has run out of time and excuses, and we must not allow this to be dragged out further.

“I hope that the new government will act now with urgency and compensate those impacted before more WASPI women die without the justice and recognition they so rightly deserve.”

ENDS

Note to editors:

1. Full text of Parliamentary Motion below:

State pension age and 1950s-born women

That this House notes with concern the losses borne by 1950s women as a result of maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions; welcomes the findings of the independent inquiry of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman; notes that on average over one hundred 1950s born women die daily, many of whom have suffered losses and die without compensation; and urges the Government to honour the recommendations of the Ombudsman, and come forward with a proper plan to compensate these women.

2. Background information:

In 1995, the Conservative Government’s State Pension Act increased the women’s state pension age from 60 to 65 without adequate notice. This left many women born in the 1950s to face financial hardship during their retirements.