MPs call for WASPI vote on compensation scheme for women born in the 1950s

MPs have urged for a parliamentary vote on whether to compensate 1950s-born women affected by the state pension age changes.

In a backbench debate about the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) report concerning the Women's State Pension age, it was argued that Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women faced a "gross injustice" and called for an immediate establishment of a compensation scheme.

The PHSO has requested Parliament to find methods to provide redress for those wronged due to mismanagement by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). According to the ombudsman's findings, compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950, might be suitable for each woman impacted, though campaigners have called for payments up to £10,000 for the worst affected.

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The report noted that compensating all women born in the 1950s at this level would cost public funds an estimated £3.5 billion to £10.5 billion, acknowledging that "though we understand not all of them will have suffered injustice".

Opening the debate, SNP frontbencher Patricia Gibson said: “Although I’m disappointed there will be no vote on this matter today, there is nothing, nothing at all to prevent the Government from bringing such a vote forward in Government time.

“Indeed, the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman has invited the House to express a view through laying its report before Parliament.”

Ms Gibson added that the Ombudsman’s report makes it “very clear” that women were not informed appropriately and the DWP was “negligent”.

Intervening, SNP MP Kirsten Oswald (East Renfrewshire) said it was “ludicrous” to suggest the women “should have found