By Ross Thomson
Copyright dailyrecord
Linlithgow MSP Fiona Hyslop met with WASPI West Lothian Group at Whitburn Partnership Centre to hear more about their campaign for fair compensation. WASPI West Lothian Group currently have 270 members campaigning for compensation for women born in the 1950’s who have been impacted by changes to the state pension age without proper notice. Fiona said: “I was pleased to meet with several members of WASPI West Lothian Group to hear more about their ongoing campaign for compensation for women impacted by changes to state pension age. “Earlier this year, I was pleased to vote for a motion of support for compensation for WASPI Women in the Scottish Parliament and I will continue to call for the WAPSI Women to receive the compensation they deserve. “The Scottish Government has consistently called on the UK Government to compensate the WAPSI Women who have suffered as a result of their wrongs. “The group currently have 270 members, however it is estimated that the number of women impacted by this issue in West Lothian is much higher at around 10,000. “I would encourage anyone who is affected by this to contact WASPI West Lothian Group directly by emailing waspiwestlothian@gmail.com.” Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) says 3.6 million women born in the 1950s – including hundreds of thousands in Scotland – were not properly informed of the rise in state pension age to bring them into line with men. In 2022, Sir Keir Starmer signed a pledge drawn up by Scottish campaigners for “fair and fast compensation” in 2022. However, Labour did not commit to compensation in its 2024 manifesto. In March last year, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) had recommended the women be paid up to £2,950 each after it found “maladministration” in how the changing pension age was communicated. The UK Government said the total cost of compensation schemes suggested by the ombudsman could range between £3.5bn and £10.5bn and did not commit to providing the compensation. Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here .
