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The Labour Government is to reconsider whether to award compensation to the so-called Waspi women over changes to the state pension age . Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said Labour would “retake” the decision after initially rejected calls by a watchdog to give compensation to the affected women. In a statement to MPs, McFadden said the Government had not considered 2007 research findings by the DWP . “In light of this – and in the interests of fairness and transparency – I have concluded that the Government should now consider this evidence,” he said. The so-called Waspi women were born in the 1950s and their state pension age was raised so it would be equal with men. But the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) said the women should be paid up to £2,950 each as poor communication meant they had lost out on the chance to plan their retirement finances. McFadden told MPs that reconsidering the decision did not mean the Government would end up awarding the women compensation. He said: “Retaking this decision should not be taken as an indication that Government will necessarily decide that it should award financial redress. “The work will begin immediately and I will update the House on the decision as soon as a conclusion is reached.” SNP Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This is yet another U-turn from a Labour Government which has completely lost control. “It is clear that Labour are not retaking this decision because they want to – they are doing it because they have to. Labour should not be dragging their feet – women have waited long enough, and hundreds of thousands have died whilst waiting for justice. “The Scottish Government will seek further details on the review announced today. "We reiterate our calls for the UK government to immediately, and in full, honour the recommendations of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and deliver compensation for our WASPI women in full.” To sign up to the Daily R ecord Politics newsletter, click here
