FIRST MINISTER TURNS UP THE HEAT ON BEHALF OF WASPI WOMEN

By Bill Heaney

Women Against State Pension Inequality – Scotland’s WASPI women – took their case to the Scottish Parliament this week.

Labour MSP Clare Haughey, pictured right, asked First Minister Humza Yousaf to confirm to the WASPI women—women against state pension inequality—who were watching this question time on TV and those protesting outside Parliament “that the Scottish Government stands with and supports them in their continuing battle with the United Kingdom Government for compensation?”

She added: “Will he personally lend his weight to urge UK ministers to bring forward a compensation plan for my Rutherglen constituents and other WASPI women across Scotland with the utmost urgency?”

He said: “The Scottish Government has always supported—and always will support—the WASPI women. The report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is a significant moment for all those who have been involved in the campaign.

“I pay tribute to every woman who has tirelessly fought, not just for their rights but for the rights of all women who have been impacted and affected by those disgraceful decisions that the UK Government made without the women’s knowledge.

“It is time for the UK Government not just to apologise but to deliver justice and compensation for its actions, so I am writing to the Prime Minister and the leader of the Opposition to call for urgent action following the ombudsman’s report.

“I reassure members that this Government will not rest until WASPI women receive the justice that they absolutely deserve.

“I look forward to meeting WASPI campaigners after this question time and reiterating to them that, although they might have been abandoned by the United Kingdom Conservative Government—and also, it seems, by the UK Labour Party—the Scottish National Party stands firmly with them in their pursuit of justice.”

Top of page: Dame Jackie Baillie MSP,  and Martin Docherty-Hughes MSP meet with WASPI women in Dumbarton to discuss their equality claim.