Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has hit out at the UK Labour Government’s betrayal of WASPI women in West Lothian. Figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) reveal that 10,070 women in West Lothian may have lost out on pension payments.
The UK Government, Department of Work and Pension’s failed to inform these women of the changes to the state pension age, resulting in an estimated 355,910 women across Scotland not receiving money they were entitled to.
The Scottish Government and Westminster SNP Group have been clear that the UK Government must do the right thing and support the WASPI women.
Commenting Fiona said:
“It is disappointing to see the UK Government renege on their promise to compensate the WASPI women.
“The SNP continues to call for the WASPI women to receive the compensation they deserve, and I was pleased to see this raised in a Scottish Government debate in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 21st January, led by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP.
“The Scottish Government has consistently called on the UK Government to right the wrongs suffered by the WASPI women and SNP Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn MP also brought this issue to the Labour Government directly in the House of Commons on Tuesday 28th January.
“Stephen Flynn’s WASPI compensation bill passed the first hurdle in the House of Commons as SNP and opposition parties voted in support of it, making it clear that there is cross-party support for WASPI women. The UK Government must make time in Parliament for this Bill to progress.
“In the Scottish Parliament, I was proud to vote in support of compensation for WASPI women, on a motion put forward by the Scottish Government that passed unanimously.
“The UK Government must do more and right the wrong they have done against the WASPI women.”
ENDS
Notes:
Compensation for WASPI Women
- Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party.
- Date lodged: Monday, 20 January 2025
- Motion reference: S6M-16160
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 21 January 2025
That the Parliament calls on the UK Government to compensate Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) women as recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.