Carmichael votes for WASPI compensation bill

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has voted to reverse the government’s decision not to compensate women affected by maladministration in changes to the state pension age. Last year the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommended that the government apologise and pay compensation to women affected by the increase, because the changes were not communicated properly between 1995 and 2007. 

Yesterday evening MPs voted 115 to 0 to progress a bill which would require the government to implement the recommendations, though it is unlikely to become law due to opposition by Labour and the Conservatives.

Mr Carmichael said:

“While the grandstanding and gameplaying by the SNP over this vote has been counterproductive, for Conservative and Labour MPs to fail to back these women is an immense disappointment. 

“The findings of the independent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman were clear: the government failed to provide accurate, adequate and timely information to women affected by the state pension changes. There is no point in asking the PHSO to give recommendations if they will then simply be ignored. I will continue to support their compensation, as the PHSO has recommended.”