More than 331,000 Waspi women in Scotland, figures suggest

More than 331,000 women in Scotland are estimated to have been impacted by changes to the state pension age for those born in the 1950s.

Figures released by the House of Commons Library predict that 331,780 women north of the border were affected by the policy.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats, which requested the data, described the figure as “shocking”.

It pledged to “fight for Waspi women” following the UK Government’s decision not to compensate them.

Around 3.6 million women in the UK were affected by the change, first announced in the 1990s, to bring their retirement age in line with men.

This was later accelerated under the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition government more than a decade ago.

However, there was a 28-month delay in writing to inform them of the changes.

Campaigners, led by the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group, have claimed women suffered financial hardship and had to rethink retirement plans.

A report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) last year recommended the Government pay compensation to women as a result of the delay in them being informed of the changes.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has rejected that recommendation, saying the Government cannot afford the £10.5bn it would cost to fund it.

Speaking ahead of a Scottish Parliament debate on the issue, Beatrice Wishart said women have been “betrayed” by ministers.

The Shetland MSP said: “These shocking figures show that hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland have been betrayed by the UK Government’s decision to not compensate Waspi women.

“The UK Government has turned its back on millions of women who were wronged through no fault of their own, ignoring the independent Ombudsman’s recommendations, and that is frankly disgraceful.

“For years, Liberal Democrats have pushed the government to fairly compensate Waspi women in line with the Ombudsman’s recommendations.

“The Conservatives left our economy in a shambles but pensioners shouldn’t be asked to pay the price. The Liberal Democrats will fight for Waspi women.

“The UK Government must urgently change course and rethink this shameful decision.”

The UK Government has been approached for comment.