I had no idea what this was about, but kept hearing that Dear Keir had thrown some WASPI women under a bus. So I thought dig a little deeper. It turns out the term WASPI women refers to the UK Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign group. These women, born in the 1950s, were impacted by changes to the state pension age (SPA). Initially set at 60 for women, the SPA was raised to align with men’s SPA of 65, and later incrementally increased to 66 and beyond. While the equalisation aimed to reflect changes in life expectancy and gender equality, many women argue they were not given sufficient notice or time to adapt, causing financial hardship.

Key Points about WASPI

• The Campaign: WASPI does not oppose equalisation but campaigns against the way the changes were implemented, particularly the lack of adequate notice, which left many women unprepared.
• Demands: They seek fair transitional arrangements or compensation for those affected by the abrupt changes.
• Public and Political Response: The group has gained significant public and political support over the years but has yet to see its demands fully addressed by the government.

Keir Starmer and the WASPI Women

• Position as Labour Leader: Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has expressed support for WASPI women and their cause in principle. However, Labour has not committed to specific compensation proposals or detailed policies to address their concerns.
• Challenges: The financial implications of compensating the affected women are substantial, making it contentious. Critics argue that neither Labour nor the Conservative government has adequately prioritised this matter.

Current Situation

• As of now, the WASPI women continue to campaign for justice, while political leaders, including Keir Starmer, face pressure to provide a concrete plan to address the grievances of this significant group of voters.