MSPs HAVE backed the Scottish Government in a call for “compensation in full” to be paid to women impacted by state pension inequality.
However, Scottish Labour chose to abstain on the motion – instead pushing an amendment calling for "clarity" on a compensation scheme, which ultimately failed.
The Scottish Parliament voted by 75 votes to zero, with 52 abstentions, for the Government motion which echoed the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign’s calls for “a higher level of compensation to properly reflect the financial harm” that has been suffered.
A Tory amendment, which went further than Labour's, called on the UK Government to “respond in full” to a report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and to “pay compensation to those affected”, was rejected by 31 votes to 74, with 21 abstentions.
The Labour amendment stated there “must be clarity on how any compensation scheme would operate”. It was also defeated by 21 votes to 95, with 11 abstentions.
READ MORE: DWP: WASPI women are owed compensation, major report says
Commenting after the debate, SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson [below] said: “Westminster parties have betrayed Waspi women, failing to apologise or come up with a scheme of compensation – despite numerous opportunities to do so.
“And it’s shameful that both Labour and the Tories are now refusing to accept the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s findings on the UK Government’s failures.
“The SNP however will not rest until every single Waspi woman receives the justice – and full compensation – that they deserve.
“As long as Scotland remains part of this dysfunctional Westminster system, the SNP will be a strong voice for Waspi women and Scotland’s values.”
In April, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) concluded in a report that women born in the 1950s affected by state pension changes that were not communicated adequately should receive an apology and payouts of up to £2950.
The UK Labour Party instructed their counterparts in Scotland not to commit to any sort of compensation scheme and simply suggest they will “consider the report”.
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