Yesterday 28.01.25, I stood in the House of Commons and cast my vote in favour of delivering long-overdue compensation to the 1950s-born women affected by the state pension age changes.
These women - our mothers, grandmothers, friends, and neighbours - had their retirement plans thrown disrupted when the UK Government raised the state pension age without properly informing them. Many found out far too late, losing years of financial security they had planned for and worked hard to earn.
The WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign has fought tirelessly for justice. The bill, which passed its first stage with 105 votes in favour, calls on ministers to create a compensation scheme. Its chances of becoming law remain slim, but I want to be clear: I will continue to fight for these women, whether through this bill or any other means.
Plaid Cymru Stands with WASPI Women
Plaid Cymru has always stood on the side of fairness. We believe these women deserve justice - not just an apology, but proper financial compensation. That’s why my colleagues and I voted in favour of this bill.
The UK Government has repeatedly ignored the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman, which concluded that poor communication from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) left these women with no time to plan for their financial future. The Ombudsman has made it clear: compensation should be paid (between £1,000 and £2,950). Yet the Westminster establishment continues to turn its back on them.
Labour’s decision to abstain from this vote is terrible. Many of their MPs have proudly backed the WASPI cause in the past, yet when it came to taking real action, they sat on their hands.
The Campaign is Far from Over
This campaign isn’t just about money - it’s about dignity, respect, and accountability. These women did everything right. They worked hard, paid into the system, and expected the state pension they were promised. The government changed the rules and left them short changed.
We have seen justice delivered in other long-running campaigns - the Post Office Horizon scandal, the Infected Blood scandal, and others. Now it’s time for Westminster to right this wrong too.
I will keep pushing, alongside my Plaid Cymru colleagues and the WASPI campaigners, until these women receive the justice they deserve.
Llinos Medi MP