Council fails to give full backing to WASPI women
27/06/24
In his role as an Aberdeenshire councillor, Glen Reynolds today brought forward a motion to the full meeting of Aberdeenshire Council in support of those women who have suffered a gross injustice over pensions inequality.
But the motion was watered down by the ruling Tory-LibDem group with council leader Gillian Owen repeatedly saying that the council had “no role” in this issue.
Mr Reynolds, who is standing as SNP candidate for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine at next week’s general election, is fully in favour of rectifying the pensions injustice, backing the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign.
WASPI campaigners have long been fighting for women born between 1950 and 1960 who suffered significant loss because of the equalisation of the state pension age with men, the raising of the state pension age and lack of communication from the UK government about these moves.
Mr Reynolds’ motion called on the council to support the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality in recognising that the women have suffered emotional and financial consequences from UK government actions; that a swift resolution is required before more women die waiting to receive compensation; also the proposal for an immediate payment from the UK government of up to £20,000 to those affected.
There are around 19,000 of these women across Aberdeenshire. Mr Reynolds sees the issue as one of the utmost urgency.
In addition, the motion asked that Aberdeenshire’s chief executive write to local MPs and the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to outline the impact of the problem on the shire and seek their support for the immediate compensation package.
All this was abandoned by the council’s majority Tory-LibDem group in favour of an amendment with some lukewarm words about the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and a message of congratulation to the WASPI campaigners.
Mr Reynolds said, “The SNP supports the WASPI women and so do I. It’s a disgrace that the UK government seems to be solving this problem by waiting for these women to literally die off, so removing the need for adequate compensation.
“As the MP for those affected in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, I would certainly be their voice in parliament – and a voice to support the WASPI campaign in its overall aims.”
Today’s motion was seconded by SNP Cllr Dawn Black, Stonehaven and Lower Deeside, who added, “The council’s ruling Tory-LibDem group failed the WASPI women of the shire today.
“Proper support from Aberdeenshire Council could have been truly significant by allowing the chief executive to write to incoming MPs and to the Department for Work and Pensions to expedite compensation payments. They deserve better.”
Linda Carmichael, co-chair of WASPIScotland and co-coordinator of Aberdeenshire WASPI, said, “I’m grateful the motion was discussed but disappointed that mention of the compensation level was removed by the amendment.
“WASPI women have lost out on state pension of over £40,000 each through no fault of their own, therefore compensation should be paid out as a priority.
“Our quality of life has been impacted severely by delays. Because of the changes, many women have died before receiving their state pension. We want fast and fair compensation now. It’s time for decent politicians to work together to make us a priority.”
Photograph (Reynolds Carmichael Black 27.06.24.jpeg)
From left: Cllr Glen Reynolds, local WASPI campaigner Linda Carmichael and Cllr Dawn Black outside Aberdeenshire Council headquarters earlier today.