Waspi scandal 'could happen again' with 400,000 brits at risk

MPs have voiced their worries there could be a potential repeat of the WASPI scandal, as many people do not know about a crucial state pension restriction. The WASPI (Women Against State

Pension Inequality) dispute centres around the rise in the state pension age from 60 to 65 and then 66 for women born in the 1950s. Campaigners argue they were inadequately informed of the

change by the DWP, with many oblivious to the fact they would have to wait several more years to claim their state pension, disrupting their retirement plans. Despite the Government

announcing last year that there would be no payouts, the campaigners are continuing to battle for compensation. WASPI has sought a judicial review of the Government's decision at the

high court. This week, MPs expressed concerns that many state pensioners are unaware of another significant rule that could likewise impact their payments. A debate was held in Westminster

Hall regarding the 'frozen state pension' policy, as over 400,000 state pensioners living abroad in certain countries do not receive the triple lock increase. For your payments to

rise each April, you need to be a UK resident or live in a country that has a social security agreement with the UK. However, people in countries like Canada and New Zealand do not receive a

rates increase, with their payments frozen at the level they were when they relocated to the relevant country. Speaking at the debate, Liberal Democrat MP Rachel Gilmour highlighted the

need for state pensioners to be well-informed about the system. She said: "People who receive a pension income have worked throughout their careers for that money, and they deserve to

be able to access it fairly and with the proper information, lest we see a repeat of the WASPI scandal." Conservative MP Gregory Stafford, who led the debate, also shed light on the

struggles faced by WASPI women. He said: "Only this year, we saw continued poor treatment through policies such as the removal of the Winter Fuel Payment and the betrayal of the WASPI

women, both causes that were vociferously supported by the Labour Party in opposition. Labour is happy to freeze pensioners and happy to freeze their pensions." DUP MP Jim Shannon also

drew parallels between the general unfamiliarity with the frozen pension policy and the controversy surrounding the WASPI campaign. He said: "The widespread lack of transparency is

reminiscent of the lack of transparency with WASPI women. "The all-party parliamentary group on frozen British pensions has reported that nearly 90% of all affected pensioners were

unaware of the policy before moving." Conservative MP Rebecca Smith also called on the Government to ensure that individuals are adequately informed about the regulations while touching

on the WASPI matter. She said: "The Government need to make sure they properly communicate pension terms to people well ahead of the time they expect receive a state pension. We have

seen in the WASPI women campaign the issues that can be caused, and I believe that no one wants to replicate that." Providing a response from the Government, pensions minister Torsten

Bell explained the Government's stance and sought to justify its current policy. He spoke about the financial implications of uprating state pensions for all expatriates, suggesting

that there would need to be tax increases to fund such a move. Mr Bell clarified Labour's position: "The UK Government's position under all parties is that we are not in the

business of new reciprocal arrangements, with any countries. The only recent agreements have been the rolled-over agreements with the EU and the EEA, agreed by the previous Conservative

Government, but that was to maintain the existing social security arrangements." Addressing the WASPI issue, the minister stated: "I gently note-very gently, so that I get out of

this room safely-that many of the people calling for pensions to be uprated are also calling for reverses to the Winter Fuel Payment policy and compensation for WASPI women, but are not

calling for less investment in the NHS or higher taxes. In the current financial climate, there are real choices, and there have been no suggestions in this debate about how any of these

policies would be funded."