WASPI campaigners have had fresh support from the Liberal Democrats, who have pledged to provide compensation if they are elected to power.
The Lib Dems have promised in their manifesto published ahead of General Election 2024 on July 4 that they will “ensure that women born in the 1950s are finally treated fairly and properly compensated”.
The news comes after the WASPI campaign boss told Express.co.uk they would be raising the issue on the doorstep with MP candidates.
Trade union Unite has also provided fresh backing for the campaign, in its new ‘Decent Retirement for All’ manifesto.
The manifesto states: “The women affected by changes to their state pension age should receive an apology from the government and should be given proper compensation.”
A report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman released in March recommended payouts of between £1,000 and £2,950, calling on Parliament to take up the issue.
Since then, the campaign had made progress in Westminster, with a bill put forward to set out compensation plans, and the Work and Pension committee recommending they should get compensation.
These efforts have come to an end as Parliament disbanded for the General Election, but the next Government may take up the issue again.
The campaigners were concerned when Labour’s Rachel Reeves, who could become Chancellor on July 4, told a press conference that Labour had “not set out any money” for WASPI compensation.
Angela Madden, chair of WASPI, said: “This has gone on long enough. While politicians dither and delay, the women affected are dying at a rate of one every thirteen minutes.
“There is no point in having an Ombudsman if Governments – blue and red alike – are just going to ignore its recommendations.
“WASPI women have waited six long years for the outcome of his investigation and it vindicated us, demanding that compensation be paid.
”And Rachel Reeves surely can’t be saying a Labour government would just show wilful disregard for his conclusions.
“We are the sixth largest economy in the world and an independent watchdog has recommended compensation be paid, so money will have to be found.”
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