Martin Lewis issues 'key' update after DWP rejects compensation for WASPI women

Martin Lewis has explained the "key" thing about the Labour Party government and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) REJECTING compensation worth £2,950 for WASPI women. Mr Lewis has issued an update via his Twitter, now X, profile.

Money Saving Expert founder and ITV and BBC regular Mr Lewis said: "Some asking me if Labour has breached its 'election' promise over Waspi by not paying out. I don't think that is correct - it didnt promise that.

"In the MSE leaders debate re #Waspi this was the PMs full answer (last para most relevant). The key word is 'election' though, some Labour MPs including shadow cabinet members vocally supported a payout pre-election. Q. Will you follow the recommendations of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and compensate women born in the 50s who have lost years of their state pension entitlement?

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"Sir Keir: "I am determined that the Labour Government I lead does everything it can to ensure people have security and dignity in retirement. "Labour will maintain the triple lock on pensions and increase the state pension each year in line with inflation, average earnings, or by 2.5%, whichever is higher.

"And I know that accessing NHS care and rising crime and antisocial behaviour are particular concerns for many over-60s. Labour’s first steps for change in Government include cutting NHS waiting times with 40,000 more appointments each week, during evenings and weekends, paid for by cracking down on tax avoidance and non-dom loopholes.

"We will also crack down on crime and antisocial behaviour, with more neighbourhood police paid for by ending wasteful contracts signed off by Conservative ministers. The WASPI women have been through so much and have campaigned tirelessly over many years.

"The Conservatives had months to respond to the Ombudsman report before the election, but shamefully failed to do so. If we're privileged enough to come into Government after the election, we'll pick up the work that the Conservatives kicked into the long grass."

Mr Lewis also re-tweeted Robert Peston, the ITV star, who had tweeted: "I have a few thoughts about the government’s failure refusal to pay compensation to WASPI women for the failure of previous administrations to properly inform them about the significant increases to the state pension age for women.

" First, if this proven maladministration had been by a bank or private sector institution, my hunch is that regulators and courts would have compelled the payment of significant compensation with minimal requirement for claimants to prove direct loss (think of the colossal sums banks paid out for mis-selling PPI insurance).

"The ability of government to just say no is a striking contrast. Second the emotional distress and hardship suffered by many older women was accepted by the ombudsman, but is not deemed by the work and pensions secretary to merit financial compensation. Third this is the second time in its short life that the Starmer government has chosen to alienate an important group of pensioner voters. This is either brave and farsighted or not."