Carmichael backs new parliamentary motion calling for WASPI compensation

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today given his support to a parliamentary motion calling for the new Labour government to live up to recommendations by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on women affected by maladministration in changes to the state pension age. The motion, led by Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain, calls on the government to honour the Ombudsman’s recommendations and bring forward a proper plan to compensate the women affected.

The independent Ombudsman in March recommended that the government should compensate women affected by failures to inform them of the changes to pension ages properly between 1995 and 2007, and called on the government to apologise for the failures. The outgoing Conservative government failed to act on the findings before the general election, and the watchdog has previously suggested that Parliament may need to intervene if the government refuses to implement the findings.

Mr Carmichael said:

“With a change in government there is now no excuse for inaction for women affected by government maladministration over the pension age changes. Many Labour MPs are on record supporting the WASPI campaign so it would be beyond bizarre if they did not back the Ombudsman’s report now. Ministers need to accept and act on what are ultimately pretty limited proposals for compensation. 

“There is no point in having the ombudsman if we do not live up to its recommendations. That compensation may not be all that those affected would wish it to be, but it ought to be the minimum we expect from the government now. 

“This issue is not going away so the incoming government would be wise to grasp the nettle and act. If ministers continue to stall then I suspect this matter will find itself before Parliament in due course.”