Liz Kendall. (Image: Getty)
WASPI campaigners have blasted Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall over a resurfaced photo after the Government announced millions of women affected by a decision to increase the state pension age won't receive compensation.
The WASPI Campaign, which lobbies for women against state pension inequality, shared a photo on X of the Cabinet minister previously holding up a placard produced by the group, which read: "I will work with WASPI to identify and deliver a fair solution for all woman affected."
In a broadside accompanying the post, the campaigners wrote: "Just a reminder, @leicesterliz of what you promised. Hard to see how your statement refusing #WASPI women justice today is a 'fair solution'."
The image was shared in an article on Ms Kendall's website in 2019, in which the MP wrote: "I was proud to meet WASPI women again in Parliament recently to sign their pledge and reaffirm my commitment to support their campaign."
Express.co.uk has approached the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for comment.
READ MORE: WASPI women told they won't receive penny of compensation in new update
Just a reminder, @leicesterliz of what you promised. Hard to see how your statement refusing #WASPI women justice today is a "fair solution". pic.twitter.com/v8Sm0gy8n3
— #WASPI Campaign (@WASPI_Campaign) December 17, 2024
The Government's decision today came despite a bombshell ombudsman report suggesting that Parliament should deliver up to ￡2,995 to women affected by the issue.
The WASPI campaign was launched by women who were affected by the increase in the state pension age for women from 60 to 65 in 2018.
This was originally meant to happen in April 2020, and as a result, millions of women of that generation were forced to postpone their retirement plans and continue working.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recently concluded that the DWP did not adequately notify women born in the 1950s of the changes, with some missing out on at least 28 months of crucial preparation time.
It recommended compensation at various levels, ranging between ￡1,000 and ￡2,950 for each affected individual.
Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions spokesperson Steve Darling MP said the decision on Tuesday not to compensate them was a "day of shame for the government".
“The new government has turned its back on millions of pension-age women who were wronged through no fault of their own, ignoring the independent Ombudsman’s recommendations, and that is frankly disgraceful," he added.
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The decision by the government has brought fury from WASPI campaigners. (Image: Getty)
The campaign group had been calling for payments of at least ￡10,000 each.
Ms Kendall said she understood the unhappiness of those affected by the issue, including the announcement on Tuesday.
“I know there are women born in the 1950s who want and deserve a better life, they have worked hard in paid jobs and in bringing up their families," she said.
“Many are struggling financially with the cost of living and fewer savings to fall back on, and they worry about their health and how their children and grandchildren will get on.
“To those women I say, this Government will protect the pensions triple lock, so your state pension will increase by up to ￡1,900 per year by the end of this Parliament.
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“We’ll drive down waiting lists so you get the treatment you need with an extra ￡22 billion of funding for the NHS this year and next. And we’ll deliver the jobs, homes and opportunities your families need to build a better life.
"I know that on this specific decision, many 1950s-born women will be disappointed, but we believe it is the right decision and the fair decision.”
Ms Kendall said that the "great majority of women knew the state pension age was increasing" and that it would not be "fair or valuable for taxpayers' money" to give a state-funded payout.
"Given the vast majority of women knew the state pension age was increasing, the government does not believe paying a flat rate to all women at a cost of up to ￡10.5bn would be fair or proportionate to taxpayers," she said.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he understood the concern of those affected but had to consider whether it was right to impose a "further burden on the taxpayer."