Betrayal that proves Labour cynically said ANYTHING to get elected: Storm brewing as ministers refuse compensation for 3.8million Waspi women - despite string of firm promises to help
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Labour was accused of hypocrisy last night after abandoning a vow to compensate women hit by increases in the state pension age. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said government would not pay a penny to the 3.8million ‘Waspi women’ who were told they would have to work five years longer to receive their pension.
![[Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall (right) holding a placard in support of the WASPI campaign.]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/22/93253025-0-image-a-20_1734474433316.jpg)
Senior Labour figures, including Sir Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Ms Kendall, all backed the women’s campaign in opposition. In 2022, Sir Keir signed a pledge calling for the women affected to receive ‘fair and fast’ compensation. Last year, he said they had faced a huge injustice’. But yesterday, the Prime Minister said the Government could not afford the estimated £10.5billion cost – which would have seen a payout of up to £3,000 to each of the more than 3million affected.
![[WASPI campaigners greeted by a van with The Prime Minister's face on during a demonstration in October]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/22/93253055-0-image-a-22_1734474473716.jpg)
The decision triggered a wave of anger with Angela Madden, chairman of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group, describing it as an ‘insult’. In the Commons, Ms Kendall faced a backlash from Labour MPs and cries of ‘shame’. Labour MP Brian Leishman said he was ‘appalled’ by the decision, telling Ms Kendall: ‘Waspi women certainly do not need words of disappointment and they certainly do not need hollow statements. What they need is justice.’.
![[The 'WASPI' women have been pushing for a huge payout from the government]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/22/93231319-0-The_WASPI_women_have_been_pushing_for_a_huge_payout_from_the_gov-a-23_1734474750736.jpg)
