Nicola hits out after High Court throws out WASPI women case
Nicola Sturgeon, Cllr Karen Conaghan and Jackie Baillie, the Labour MSP, with WASPI women campaigners including the SNP’s Martin Docherty-Hughes MP, in Dumbarton.
By Bill Heaney
The UK Government has effectively robbed women of their pension entitlement. It is disgraceful, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament today.
The parliamentary spotlight fell on the fact that WASPI women had lost their case in the High Court.
Sandra White, the SNP member for Glasgow Kelvin, told parliament: “The First Minister will be aware of the decision of the High Court today with regard to WASPI women—the women against state pension inequality.
“Unfortunately, they have lost their case. Does the First Minister agree that the United Kingdom Government must acknowledge the suffering and disadvantage that the transition period has caused those women?
“Does she also agree that a payment should be made by the UK Government to all WASPI women?”
Nicola Sturgeon thanked her colleague for raising the issue and added: “Although it is a matter for the court, like many people, I am disappointed in this morning’s judgment. Those women should not have to be in court, trying to protect what is theirs by right.
“The UK Government has effectively robbed women of their pension entitlement. It is disgraceful.
“Today, like Sandra White, I call on the UK Government to reverse that policy, to give back to women what is theirs and to ease the suffering that so many women are experiencing because of the policy.
“When people save for their pensions, they have a right to expect that that is what they will get, not to have it taken away from them by a Tory Westminster Government.
“The policy affects women in particular, which makes the women’s position even more regrettable.”