Scottish Labour MP calls for third UK Government U-turn over Waspi women compensation
A Scottish Labour MP has called for the UK Government to make a third U-turn and compensate Waspi women.
Douglas McAllister said "an apology is not enough" and urged his party's government to "get around the table with the Waspi women and avoid years of court battles".
The SNP also called for the UK Government to go for a hat trick of U-turns and pay the women.
The Labour Government decided against reimbursing women born in the 1950s affected by the changes to state pension age.
This was despite a recommendation from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's (PHSO) to give the women between £1,000 and £2,950 each. It would have costed between £3.5 and £10.5 billion, according to the UK Government.
It comes after Labour was recently forced into U-turns over its winter fuel payment and disability benefit cuts.
West Dunbartonshire MP McAllister said during a debate in the House of Commons on Thursday: "The UK Government were right to recognise the injustice suffered by Waspi women in the statement to the House on 17 December, and to apologise for the maladministration that affected women across the UK.
"Of course, the steps set out by the Government to ensure this does not happen again are welcome, but we must learn the lessons and always set a clear timetable for notice of any future state pension age changes.
"However, an apology is not enough. I urge my Government colleagues to look again at the ombudsman's report and all its recommendations.
"Ignoring key elements of the report, by refusing to comply with its instructions and refusing to set up a compensation scheme for maladministration, not only undermines its role and function, but is unprecedented and sets us on a very dangerous path."
He added: "I suggest that we should avoid unnecessary court action. Let us get around the table with the Waspi women and avoid years of court battles, similar to other scandals over the past few decades.
"Let us urgently review and explore what schemes this Government can consider, and offer financial redress to the 1950s women who deserve justice and to be properly compensated for past Government maladministration."
Some Scottish Labour MPs suggested earlier this year that they would vote against the Government on Waspi compensation if they get the chance in the Commons.
More than 330,000 women were impacted in Scotland - 5,000 of which were in McAllister's constituency.
The welfare reforms U-turn earlier this week came after a potential rebellion from backbench Labour MPs.
SNP MSP Clare Haughey said: 'Labour's U-turns on Winter Fuel Payments and disability cuts show they can be forced into doing the right thing. The SNP will continue to hold Sir Keir Starmer's government to account – and now is the time for Westminster to do the right thing for WASPI women.
'Over 330,000 women in Scotland have been left in the dark by unfair and poorly communicated Westminster changes to their pensions. Labour promised action, but now they've gone silent.
'After one year in office, Labour need to deliver justice for the WASPI women in Scotland and across the UK.'
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