Wishart calls for WASPI compensation

Beatrice Wishart has joined more than 100 MPs demanding the UK Government finally do the right thing for women impacted by state pension changes and bring forward compensation proposals.

Women born in the 1950s were seriously financially harmed after changes to the State Pension age were introduced without adequate notice, leaving many facing hardship and debt through no fault of their own. Despite the Ombudsman’s clear findings, the Government has turned its back on millions of pension-age women, a move the Liberal Democrats have branded disgraceful.

Wishart has called on the UK Government to bring forward WASPI compensation proposals following a cross-party letter signed by over 100 MPs urging UK ministers to stop dragging their feet on the issue and without further delay. 

Liberal Democrats say successive Governments have repeatedly let down WASPI women and are now compounding that injustice by forcing pensioners to pay the price, despite clear and independent recommendations for fair compensation. Ms Wishart has long supported the WASPI campaign and is a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on WASPI.

Beatrice Wishart commented:

“Women born in the 1950s have suffered a clear injustice through no fault of their own, yet the Government continues to ignore the Ombudsman’s recommendations. 

“Last year the independent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman acknowledged a failure by the UK Government to provide those women who would be impacted by state pension changes with accurate and timely information and that those affected should receive compensation. 

“The UK Government should not dismiss that finding with many women left unable to access the State Pension at a time they had previously been led to believe it would be available to them.

"Liberal Democrats have long pushed for fair compensation, and I am urging the Government to finally do the right thing for WASPI women in Shetland and across the country.”