Harrogate MP calls for Government apology over 'betrayal' of WASPI women on pensions
As the controversy over the treatment of WASPI women intensifies Harrogate’s MP has called on the Government to apologise.
Lib Dem MP Tom Gordon has called on the Secretary of State to apologise to WASPI women after the Government announced it would be ignoring the recommendation of the independent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman’s report found that some women born in the 1950s had suffered significant financial losses due to maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions and that they should receive compensation.
But Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has rejected any form of financial pay-outs, apologising instead for a 28-month delay in sending letters to those affected by pension changes.
Mr Gordon spoke out on behalf of WASPI women across the country, including those in his Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency and challenged the Secretary of State to apologise for what he described as a “betrayal”.
"This is a complete and utter betrayal of WASPI women from this Labour government,” said the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.
“They have turned its back on millions of pension-age women who were wronged through no fault of their own.
"The Secretary of State’s failure to act on clear recommendations from the Ombudsman is a kick in the teeth to WASPI women, particularly those she met and pledged to support.
"This heartless decision cannot be allowed to stand, and the Liberal Democrats and I will continue to press ministers to give those affected the fair treatment they deserve.”
Mr Gordon has been a vocal advocate for WASPI women in Harrogate, Knaresborough, and beyond in recent months, attending campaign events and pressing for fair treatment in Parliament.
The Liberal Democrats have long backed calls for women born in the 1950s affected by the pension changes to receive proper compensation for previous Governments’ failure to properly notify them of the changes.
Since his election in July, the Harrogate MP has launched a series of interventions on a range of issues affecting his constituents, including the performance of Yorkshire Water on bonuses and sewage spills.
This week he launched his new website at: https://www.tomgordon.org.uk/about-tom