Tom Gordon MP joins call for compensation for WASPI women

The new Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom Gordon, has added his signature to a new motion tabled by Wendy Chamberlain MP calling for compensation for WASPI women. This motion aims to ensure that WASPI women are compensated for past maladministration by the Department of Work and Pensions, calling on the Government to adopt the findings of the independent enquiry run by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, first published in July 2021 with a final report in May 2024, and make sure that the findings are implemented.

The report found that that women born in the 1950s have suffered significant financial loss due to maladministration by the Department of Work and Pensions and deserve compensation as a result. 

It calls upon the new Labour Government to produce a proper plan for the compensation of these women, something that the Liberal Democrats pledged to do, with neither Labour or the Conservatives making that pledge either prior to or during the election campaign of 2024. 

With more than one hundred 1950s women dying daily, many of them suffering and dying without compensation, the Liberal Democrats are once again calling on the Government to urgently implement a compensation plan following the Ombudsman’s recommendations.

Angela Madden, Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), said: 

“We are grateful to have the support of hundreds of MPs across the Commons and look forward to working cross-party to see fair and fast compensation delivered as quickly as possible in the new Parliament.

“Many MPs have backed our campaign for justice to date, including the Prime Minister himself. With one WASPI woman dying every 13 minutes, we have no more time for dither or delay.”

Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom Gordon, said: 

“This motion aims to ensure that the findings of the independent enquiry by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman are properly adopted and implemented.

“This long outstanding issue was brought up to me frequently on the doorstep during the campaign, including many times by women who have themselves have been directly affected by this scandal. 

“We want to see the Government bring forward a proper plan to compensate these women who have been so spectacularly failed by the system over many years. The time has more than come for compensation to be paid out. 

“That is why I have added my signature to this motion brought to the House by my Colleague Wendy Chamberlain. It is vital that the Government listens to this call, and makes sure that those affected by this scandal, including many in my constituency, finally receive the justice and compensation that they deserve.”

ENDS

Full text of Parliamentary Motion to be submitted by Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP:

That this House notes with concern the losses borne by 1950s women as a result of maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions; welcomes the findings of the independent inquiry of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman; notes that on average over one hundred 1950s born women die daily, many of whom have suffered losses and die without compensation; and urges the Government honour the recommendations of the Ombudsman, and come forward with a proper plan to compensate these women.