State pension 'injustice' row erupts in Labour as MPs urge Starmer to back Waspi compensation

Parliamentarians described how their "jaws dropped onto the floor" when they learned women would not receive "fair compensation" after their decade-long campaign.

The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign has long fought for financial compensation due to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) "maladministration".

Labour MP Jonathan Brash of Hartlepool led criticism of his own party's stance, declaring: "The role of an MP is not to offer unquestioning subservience to their party, when something is wrong, they have a duty to say so."

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South Shields MP Emma Lewell Buck emphasised that "an injustice is an injustice," noting Parliament had not been allowed to make the final decision despite the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's clear direction.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy, representing Clapham and Brixton Hill, questioned Labour's approach, stating: "What is the point of an apology without redress? People voted for a Labour Government to act in a more compassionate way than its Conservative predecessor."

The debate, secured by Conservative MP Sir John Hayes, highlighted growing cross-party pressure for a vote on compensation for women born in the 1950s. Richard Burgon expressed disbelief at his own party's decision, saying it "left his jaw on the floor" and indicated fellow Labour MPs were equally stunned by the move.

Research commissioned by the Waspi campaign revealed 78 per cent of the public believe the Prime Minister has broken his word after previously signing a pledge supporting "fair and fast compensation for 1950s women".

The Parliamentary Ombudsman took the unusual step of laying the report before MPs due to "very significant concern that the injustice identified will go unremedied" if left to the Government. The Liberal Democrats and opposition parties are now reportedly seeking an Opposition Debate on the Commons floor.

MPs from across the main parties urged ministers during Wednesday's (January 15) debate to allow a binding vote on compensation, as recommended by the Ombudsman.

Waspi campaign chair Angela Madden condemned Labour's position, saying: "Labour MPs are in agreement with those across the Commons and the country who are outraged at Starmer's blatant denial and delay of justice."

She accused the Labour Government of making "a political choice to continue to turn its back on 1950s-born women by ignoring the orders of the independent ombudsman".

Madden emphasised that "all options remain on the table" in the campaign's pursuit of justice for those affected. The Waspi campaign is pushing for MPs to be given a binding vote on compensation, following the Ombudsman's recommendation to Parliament.

Sir Hayes emphasised the widespread support for Waspi women, stating: "Today has shown that across this House the feeling of injustice felt by WASPI women is shared across this House."

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He expressed hope for a parliamentary vote, adding: "I sincerely hope that we get a Parliamentary vote on this and will use every endeavour to ensure we do because Waspi women deserve better, better than the explanation we had today."

In reaction to the PHSO's findings, pensions minister Liz Kendall said: "On behalf of the Government, I apologise. This Government is determined to learn all the lessons from what went wrong, and I’ll say more about this in a moment.

"We also agree with the Ombudsman’s findings that the women suffered no direct financial loss because of this maladministration. However, we do not agree with the Ombudsman’s approach to injustice or remedy. And I want to spell out why."