Plaid Cymru slams Welsh Labour MPs for abstaining on WASPI Compensation Bill
Plaid Cymru slams Welsh Labour MPs for abstaining on WASPI Compensation Bill
Liz Saville Roberts MP describes Labour U-turn as ‘disgraceful’
Plaid Cymru has condemned Welsh Labour MPs for abstaining on the WASPI Compensation Bill introduced by the SNP and supported by Plaid Cymru in the House of Commons, describing their failure to act as “disgraceful”, having backtracked on previous commitments by Labour politicians in opposition.
Only one Welsh Labour MP – Steve Witherden – supported the Bill to grant long-overdue financial compensation for the women affected by the changes to the State Pension age. All others abstained.
Senior Welsh Labour figures had previously expressed support for the WASPI campaign, including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens.
Liz Saville Roberts MP, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, said: “With one honourable exception, Welsh Labour MPs’ decision to abstain on this bill is disgraceful. These women have been let down time and again by Westminster, and for Labour MPs to sit on their hands when they had the chance to make amends is a betrayal of the promises their party has repeatedly made.
“Welsh Labour figures, including the First Minister and Secretary of State for Wales, have previously called for compensation for WASPI women. Eluned Morgan and Jo Stevens both declared their solidarity with the campaign and promised action, but when push came to shove, their party failed to deliver.
“Plaid Cymru stands firmly with WASPI women in their fight for justice. This issue transcends party politics – it’s about fairness and trust. If politicians continue to break their promises, they further erode public trust in Westminster. The women who lost out on their pensions deserve compensation, not more empty words.”
ENDS
NODIADAU I’R GOLYGYDD / EDITOR’S NOTES:
Motion text:
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish measures to address the findings of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in its report entitled “Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues”; to require the Secretary of State to publish proposals for a compensation scheme for women born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1960 inclusive who have been affected by increases in the state pension age; and for connected purposes.
Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake volunteered to act as a Teller in order for the vote to take place. Without Tellers for the ‘Noes’, Parliament would have not been able to vote due to both Labour and the Conservatives abstaining.
WASPI stands for Women Against State Pension Inequality, representing women born in the 1950s who were impacted by changes to the State Pension age.
The SNP’s WASPI Compensation Bill called for the UK government to provide financial compensation to these women.
Senior Welsh Labour figures have previously expressed support for the WASPI campaign, including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens.
Plaid Cymru slams Welsh Labour MPs for abstaining on WASPI Compensation Bill
Plaid Cymru slams Welsh Labour MPs for abstaining on WASPI Compensation Bill
Liz Saville Roberts MP describes Labour U-turn as ‘disgraceful’
Plaid Cymru has condemned Welsh Labour MPs for abstaining on the WASPI Compensation Bill introduced by the SNP and supported by Plaid Cymru in the House of Commons, describing their failure to act as “disgraceful”, having backtracked on previous commitments by Labour politicians in opposition.
Only one Welsh Labour MP – Steve Witherden – supported the Bill to grant long-overdue financial compensation for the women affected by the changes to the State Pension age. All others abstained.
Senior Welsh Labour figures had previously expressed support for the WASPI campaign, including First Minister Eluned Morgan and Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens.
Liz Saville Roberts MP, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, said:
“With one honourable exception, Welsh Labour MPs’ decision to abstain on this bill is disgraceful. These women have been let down time and again by Westminster, and for Labour MPs to sit on their hands when they had the chance to make amends is a betrayal of the promises their party has repeatedly made.
“Welsh Labour figures, including the First Minister and Secretary of State for Wales, have previously called for compensation for WASPI women. Eluned Morgan and Jo Stevens both declared their solidarity with the campaign and promised action, but when push came to shove, their party failed to deliver.
“Plaid Cymru stands firmly with WASPI women in their fight for justice. This issue transcends party politics – it’s about fairness and trust. If politicians continue to break their promises, they further erode public trust in Westminster. The women who lost out on their pensions deserve compensation, not more empty words.”
ENDS
NODIADAU I’R GOLYGYDD / EDITOR’S NOTES:
Motion text:
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the Secretary of State to publish measures to address the findings of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in its report entitled “Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues”; to require the Secretary of State to publish proposals for a compensation scheme for women born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1960 inclusive who have been affected by increases in the state pension age; and for connected purposes.
Vote results: https://votes.parliament.uk/votes/commons/division/1918#ayes
Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake volunteered to act as a Teller in order for the vote to take place. Without Tellers for the ‘Noes’, Parliament would have not been able to vote due to both Labour and the Conservatives abstaining.