Up to 100 Labour MPs could vote against Waspi payout refusal
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Lib Dems may force vote on refusal to compensate women, which has angered many backbenchers. Up to 100 Labour MPs could vote against the government’s decision to rule out spending £10bn compensating Waspi women, encapsulating the fury on Keir Starmer’s own benches, the Guardian has been told.
The work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, announced on Tuesday there would be no compensation for women born in the 1950s who were not aware of changes to the state pension age, despite a recommendation from the parliamentary ombudsman in March that £1,000 to £2,950 should be paid out to each of the more than 3 million women affected.
The prime minister denied MPs a vote on the issue and told the Commons that taxpayers could not afford the £10.5bn compensation package that had been recommended, as his own MPs accused him of “betrayal” during PMQs on Wednesday. However, it is understood that the Liberal Democrats could force a backbench business vote on the issue, which could lead to the biggest rebellion of the parliament to date.
One Labour MP called it the party’s “tuition fee moment”, given how many Labour MPs had stood with campaign groups and placards in solidarity with the women hit by the rising state pension age. Many privately feel embarrassed by the move and had thought they were following Labour policy in showing solidarity with the women.
The veteran Labour MP and mother of the house, Diane Abbott, criticised the government during PMQs as she said: “We did promise them that we will give them justice. I understand the issue about the cost, but does the prime minister really understand how let down Waspi women feel today?”.
