UK’s Labour Faces Backlash Over WASPI Women Pension Decision
The Labour government is facing intense criticism after rejecting calls to compensate hundreds of thousands of women affected by changes to the state pension age in Britain, Bloomberg reports.
The decision, announced in Parliament on Tuesday by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, has sparked a furious backlash from opposition parties, Labour MPs, and the women themselves – the so-called WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) group.
The government refused to pay compensation to approximately 3.8 million women born between April 6, 1950, and April 5, 1953, who saw their state pension age unexpectedly rise to 65 from 60. A Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report in March highlighted failings in the communication of these changes and suggested compensation of up to £10.5 billion (€12 billion/$13.3 billion) as appropriate.
Kendall acknowledged the “maladministration” by previous governments but insisted that the proposed compensation package was not a “fair or proportionate use of taxpayers’ money,” citing a £22 billion budget shortfall. This justification, however, has fallen flat with many, including Labour MPs.
Brian Leishman called the decision “appalled,” while Rebecca Long-Bailey deemed Kendall’s apology insufficient. Florence Eshalomi argued that admitting past mistakes necessitates accountability. The WASPI women have vowed to challenge the decision in court.
This latest controversy adds to a string of unpopular decisions by the Labour government in its first six months in power. Previous actions, including cuts to winter heating bill support for pensioners, changes to inheritance tax affecting farmers, and significant tax increases on businesses, have already eroded public support.
An Ipsos poll conducted between November 27 and December 4 revealed that 70% of Britons are dissatisfied with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership. The situation is further complicated by Labour’s past pledges to support WASPI women. Both Kendall and Chancellor Rachel Reeves previously posed with pledge cards promising a “fair solution,” a commitment echoed by Starmer himself.
