3 hours Ago By Lucy Leeson
Watch live as Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch in the final PMQs of 2024 as Labour defends its controversial Waspi compensation refusal. Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended the decision to refuse compensation for the Waspi women, saying 90 per cent were aware of the impending changes to the state pension age. Calls for women born in the 1950s to receive thousands in compensation - after the state pension age was increased from 60 to 65 - have been rejected by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall .
Ms Reeves, who supported the Waspi campaign in opposition, said she understands why women are “disappointed” but that it would not be a good use of taxpayers’ money to pay an “expensive compensation bill for something that most people knew were happening”. Around 90 per cent of women knew the changes were coming, Ms Reeves added. The rise in state pension age sparked controversy after millions claimed they were forced to change retirement plans after not being properly informed.
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