Sarwar urged to apologise to Waspi campaigners – Daily Business

An SNP MSP has urged Labour leader Anas Sarwar to apologise to WASPI pensions campaigners after his party’s decision not to fulfill its pledge to meet their compensation demands. 

MSP Bill Kidd will host a members debate in the Scottish Parliament today where MSPs will have the opportunity to speak out against the UK Labour government’s broken promise. 

Mr Sarwar had previously backed the WASPI campaign, including in a series of photo opportunities and now deleted tweets, one of which stated, “Under my leadership, WASPI women will finally receive the justice they deserve.”

He did not attend a meeting with members of the campaign group last month after the SNP invited campaigners to the Scottish Parliament.

Commenting, Bill Kidd MSP said: “It’s time Anas Sarwar showed some substance, came to the Scottish Parliament chamber and apologised to the Scottish WASPI women he so badly let down – a no show today will cement his betrayal.

“Every single senior member of the Labour Party had no hesitation in backing the WASPI campaign, tweeting support and joining photo opportunities, just to turn their back on the women as soon as they got a whiff of power.

“The SNP has secured a debate tonight and it’s time Anas Sarwar owned his actions and those of the people he backed to the hilt –  but the reality is the Scottish public won’t be holding their breath with his appalling judgement having been exposed time and again.”

Daily Business revealed on 4 June 2024 – a month before the general election – that the Chancellor would not be compensating the Waspi campaigners.

She admitted during a visit to Edinburgh that she had not allowed for payouts in the spending plans.

“I recognise that injustice,” she said. “There are lots of things that a Labour government might like to do, but the state of the public finances and the dire need in our public services means that we won’t be able to do everything that we might like to do.

“Our manifesto will be published shortly, but I’ve said we won’t put forward anything that is not fully costed and fully-funded and I have not set out any money for this.”