WASPI compensation rejection a "betrayal" says Wiltshire MP
The Government has rejected the campaign for compensation for women who weren't told about changes to their state pension age
A Wiltshire MP has slammed the Government for rejecting calls to give compensation to women who weren't told about changes to their state pension age.
The WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign says over 3.6 million women born in the 1950s were not properly informed of their state pension age rising, but have seen their hopes of compensation dashed, despite a parliamentary ombudsman recommending it in 2024.
The Government says it would have cost over £10bn to award compensation.
Sarah Gibson MP, who represents Chippenham, Calne, Corsham, Lyneham and Royal Wootton Bassett, says women in Wiltshire who've been affected by the failings have been let down by a second Government, with the original oversight happening on the Conservatives watch.
"Hundreds of women in Wiltshire have been utterly betrayed today. WASPI women have worked all their lives and should not have to be battling this injustice," she said.
Ms Gibson added: "The Conservative Government let them down, and now this Labour Government are doing the exact same thing: refusing to accept all the independent recommendations that WASPI women should be compensated.
"They have been wronged through no fault of their own. That is frankly disgraceful."
Her Liberal Democrat colleague, Dr Roz Savage, says she's "very sorry" for the campaign group.
In a post on Facebook, Dr Savage said: "This long running campaign, both for constituents of mine in the South Cotswolds and across the UK, will not welcome this news.
"I have led a debate on this in Parliament, meeting many campaigners and have pressed the Government to compensate the many thousands of women who were wronged by legislation passed in 1995.
"I will continue to put pressure on the Government. This will not stop the campaign."
Last week, Ms Gibson and Dr Savage, along with Melksham and Devizes MP, Dr Brian Mathew, signed a letter to the Department for Work and Pensions, calling for justice to be served.