Waspi women cheated yet again!!

Casdon

The WASPI campaign started in 2015. It’s ironic that the greatest shouters about Labour not compensating WASPIs forget to mention that the Tories had 14 years to pay out, and it’s been 9 since WASPI started.
For the third time on this thread I’ll repeat that it was not promised by Labour when the election campaigning started, it was made clear in May that they would not be paying out.
I’m a WASPI woman, and yes, I knew about the change in the pension age years before it happened, but of course it would have been nice to get a payout. However I never expected to.

Oh we know full well the Conservatives had 9 years in which they could have accepted the WASPIs claims. They didn't pay out, during which time Labour made lots of noises about being totally in support of the campaign. Are you saying that all of us who voted for Labour in the hope and expectation of change can now just look forward to Labour not doing everything the Conservatives didn't do either? Is that going to be the constant justification "they did/didn't xyz so we're going/not going to do xyz too"? What was the point of changing the rosette if the results are to be the same?
Given Labour didn't know about the 'black hole' in our finances in May why did they change their mind about supporting WASPIs? Do you think there's any point to the Ombudsman?

The vast majority of women did know so it’s time to stop wingeing. If compensation were paid it would be all taxpayers who would have to fund it. The WASPI movement makes me embarrassed to be an older woman and I suggest you all move on.

* … “the Government deciding to ignore the recommendations of the Ombudsman is unprecedented behaviour”.

To be honest my feeling on the situation is that a small amount of money as ‘sorry, we got thinks wrong and made a dog’s dinner of this’ would go a long way. It would acknowledge general hurt and (some) hardship. Make these payments as a small conciliatory offer then move on.

“Given Labour didn't know about the 'black hole' in our finances in May why did they change their mind about supporting WASPIs?” Rosie.

I suspect Rosie that they DID know all about the finances in May, that there was no black hole, but they could pretend ignorance as an excuse not to fund the Ombudsman’s WASPI recommendation, WFP for every pensioner and all manner of things when it suited!

As for the Tories? Well we all knew they weren’t for paying out - unfortunately some fell for the faux support of Labour’s lovelies!

I think the main issue is the fact that so many Labour MPs were giving support to the WASPIS. I've seen so many clips of Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner, Yvette Cooper campaigning for them.

Not sure that the Conservatives were involved in supporting compensation so it matters not if they were in power for 14 years. Not on their agenda.

LaCrepescule

The vast majority of women did know so it’s time to stop wingeing. If compensation were paid it would be all taxpayers who would have to fund it. The WASPI movement makes me embarrassed to be an older woman and I suggest you all move on.

You 'claim' to have had several letters about the changes, which means at least 3. Others know they didn't get even one. Do you consider that them having you on 'speed dial' with regard to written communications may have had something to do with you being fully aware? May I suggest you refrain from using insulting language like whinge and move on if this subject is of no interest to you?

Casdon

petal53

Casdon
You can carry on supporting your party till the cows come home, but clearly there are many others who are deeply annoyed by the hypocrisy of the Labour Party.
What a shame there is so little solidarity with other women.

Clearly people haven’t had their eye on the ball then petal53, I’m not one of them. . It’s nothing to do with me supporting Labour, I was saying exactly the same when the Tories were in power, check back to previous threads if you like.

So, you’ve had your eye on the ball but the rest of us haven’t?
😄
The Tories should have acted to help the waspi women but didn’t and this Labour government should act as well, but won’t! Despite siding with them in public and cheering them on, was it just a cynical photo opportunity then?
This matter doesn’t directly concern me as I was born in the 60’s but these campaigning women have right on their side in my view and in the view of the Ombudsman.
How other Labour voters view the breathtaking hypocrisy of this government on this matter I don’t know , except on here but I am very worried by it, and not only this but by many of the decisions taken by them since taking office.
And the first person to burble on about a black hole will be pushed into it.There’s always money for things dear to a Minister’s heart🤬

I have no idea if I ever got a letter but I knew about it. It was well publicised. Why did anyone ever think it was fair to have different ages for men and women? As for sky news this morning did anyone see the item about children spending years in hostels as their families are homeless. Let's get our priorities sorted.

I heard it mentioned on the News this morning that 92% of women are believed to have known the truth about the alteration in their pension dates. How they discovered that figure I have no idea, but I find it impossible to believe so many women remained in ignorance when it was discussed in newspapers, broadcasting, pension advice and discussion in the workplace and with contemporaries, for many years.

LaCrepescule

The vast majority of women did know so it’s time to stop wingeing. If compensation were paid it would be all taxpayers who would have to fund it. The WASPI movement makes me embarrassed to be an older woman and I suggest you all move on.

Can you link me to something that shows what the 'vast majority' of women knew, please? Does the Ombudsman, or the judge in the court case led by Michael Mansfield have access to this information?

Oreo

Casdon

petal53

Casdon
You can carry on supporting your party till the cows come home, but clearly there are many others who are deeply annoyed by the hypocrisy of the Labour Party.
What a shame there is so little solidarity with other women.

Clearly people haven’t had their eye on the ball then petal53, I’m not one of them. . It’s nothing to do with me supporting Labour, I was saying exactly the same when the Tories were in power, check back to previous threads if you like.

So, you’ve had your eye on the ball but the rest of us haven’t?
😄
The Tories should have acted to help the waspi women but didn’t and this Labour government should act as well, but won’t! Despite siding with them in public and cheering them on, was it just a cynical photo opportunity then?
This matter doesn’t directly concern me as I was born in the 60’s but these campaigning women have right on their side in my view and in the view of the Ombudsman.
How other Labour voters view the breathtaking hypocrisy of this government on this matter I don’t know , except on here but I am very worried by it, and not only this but by many of the decisions taken by them since taking office.
And the first person to burble on about a black hole will be pushed into it.There’s always money for things dear to a Minister’s heart🤬

I didn’t say ‘the rest of you’ though Oreo, did I? Of course millions have had their eye on the ball, just not everybody.

Doodledog

LaCrepescule

The vast majority of women did know so it’s time to stop wingeing. If compensation were paid it would be all taxpayers who would have to fund it. The WASPI movement makes me embarrassed to be an older woman and I suggest you all move on.

Can you link me to something that shows what the 'vast majority' of women knew, please? Does the Ombudsman, or the judge in the court case led by Michael Mansfield have access to this information?

There was a study about ten years ago. From memory, about 70% of affected women did know. (Sorry, too lazy to find the link.) However, what the study did show was that there were certain groups of women who didn't know. The DWP was advised to make an effort to contact these women directly, but delayed about doing it. It was this delay which was the basis of the Ombudsman's judgment.

So, yes, it would appear the majority of women did know (although not 90% or whatever is being claimed).

And yes, the Ombudsman did know when the recommendation was made.

I think its a bit much Badenhoch having a go when in 2017 Osbourne boasted

"During a panel discussion of international finance ministers at a Global Investment Conference in 2013, George Osborne claimed the changes “probably saved more money than anything else we’ve [the Conservative administration] done”."

He also claimed George Osborne that the pension changes would “deliver dignity in retirement”"

"“These changes you see today are what a modern, compassionate Conservative government is all about."

See D Express article 2017
www.express.co.uk/finance/retirement/815768/Pension-changes-George-Osborne-1950s-women-Waspi-pensions-act

I agree that it was Labour Policy until 2022 and I wish they had been able to deliver, of course, but short of putting taxes up more, where can the money come from?

This government does not like old people..

Just watched the 9mins+ interview with KAY BURLEY on SKY -she really grilled the Minister for Homelessness and - can’t remember- forgive me Seniors…it was a bruising exchange but Kay won IMO on words and if I hear another MP say “lessons will be learned “. I will scream at TV🤬

I am the same. I keep ALL letters and there is nothing in my Dhss/Dwp file.

Oldbat1

I am the same. I keep ALL letters and there is nothing in my Dhss/Dwp file.

I do remember receiving a letter, although I can't remember when. I remember reading it and binning it and wondering why the DWP was sending me a letter with information I already knew.

growstuff

And yes, the Ombudsman did know when the recommendation was made.

Well yes. That was a rhetorical question. He couldn't have ruled without access to all the relevant information.

As I've said, I knew, but I wasn't told. There was no letter, and I can't remember how I found out - possibly via my union, or by reading, hearing or seeing something in the media, or just on the grapevine. I've never been asked if I knew, and I'd be interested to see how any research into who knew and who didn't was carried out. (A) it would rely on those asked being fully representative of a demographic several years earlier (difficult to select) and (B) it would rely on respondents remembering clearly. People may have known and forgotten, not known at the time but found out later, and so on.

We often see people on here quite blatantly accusing others of lying, or 'claiming' not to have been told. I don't know if the doubt is because it is women being disbelieved, whether people simply can't accept that others have different experiences from their own, or quite why this should be, but the feeling seems to be quite widespread. That is why I would be interested to know just how it was decided (and by whom) that so many did not know, and whether they represent a different demographic from those who did.

I think we just need to accept that retirement age is going to increase. My 32 year old daughter has already come to terms with probably not receiving a state pension until she's 70.

I wish that there could be some kind of investigation into the barriers which face people working until they are 70. I know some people already do and are as fir as fiddles, but the majority of people in their 60s have some kind of chronic health condition which means they have to slow down. There is definitely age discrimination, so if somebody looks for a new job in their late 50s or older, it can be difficult and some employers put pressure on employees to retire. After working for 40+ years, some people just want to slow down/work part-time. Their mortgage and student loan (if they have one) might be paid off, but they can't afford to retire without a state pension and would like the option of working part-time.

I'm not sure what the solutions would be - maybe taking pensions earlier at a fair reduced rate. I also think National Insurance needs looking at. IMO it's bonkers that somebody who has contributed for 50 years receives no more than somebody who has contributed for 35 years. I also think it's not right that pensioners don't pay the health component of National Insurance.

They were never going to pay compensation. When they were in opposition they just lied and lied to get votes. Never trust any politicians of any persuasion. They are all liars. This government in particular hates old people so never expect anything from them. (If they had been in charge during covid you can be sure more old people would have died and they are just a burden to this government.)

I'm a waspi, I never expected to get compensation. I was aware when the age was changed. I don't recall getting a letter but somehow I always knew when my state pension age changed.

Lots of you will have voted for these people. I hope that you are happy with how you cast your vote.

Lots of you will have voted for these people. I hope that you are happy with how you cast your vote.
I am. Not everyone votes purely out of self-interest.

Doodledog

growstuff

And yes, the Ombudsman did know when the recommendation was made.

Well yes. That was a rhetorical question. He couldn't have ruled without access to all the relevant information.

As I've said, I knew, but I wasn't told. There was no letter, and I can't remember how I found out - possibly via my union, or by reading, hearing or seeing something in the media, or just on the grapevine. I've never been asked if I knew, and I'd be interested to see how any research into who knew and who didn't was carried out. (A) it would rely on those asked being fully representative of a demographic several years earlier (difficult to select) and (B) it would rely on respondents remembering clearly. People may have known and forgotten, not known at the time but found out later, and so on.

We often see people on here quite blatantly accusing others of lying, or 'claiming' not to have been told. I don't know if the doubt is because it is women being disbelieved, whether people simply can't accept that others have different experiences from their own, or quite why this should be, but the feeling seems to be quite widespread. That is why I would be interested to know just how it was decided (and by whom) that so many did not know, and whether they represent a different demographic from those who did.

But you most have been told by somebody! I doubt if the information was conveyed by telepathic communication. It was a major policy mistake. The government made sure the information was on the news and in other media and assumed that it would trickle through to everybody. It underestimated people's interest in current affairs. When they were told that and advised to contact the groups of people who claimed they hadn't heard anything, they delayed. That's why the Ombudsman suggested compensation.

OK! I'll look for the survey and if I find it, I'll post the link. Beware! I think some people will be offended by the conclusions which were drawn about those who didn't know.

(PS. Don't shoot the messenger.)