Friday January 30th 2026
Scottish Borders Councillor James Anderson
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A Berwickshire councillor has labelled a decision to rule out compensation for women pension campaigners as a “national disgrace”.
Campaigners say 3.6 million women born in the 1950s were not properly informed of the rise in their state pension age, which brought it into line with men.
This week Labour work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden apologised that women born in the 1950s were not sent individual letters about their state pension changes earlier, but said a flat-rate scheme could have cost £10bn.
The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group said the latest decision demonstrated “utter contempt” for those affected.
It was a response echoed by East Berwickshire Independent councillor James Anderson, a long-time supporter of the WASPI campaign
He said: “I am deeply disappointed by Labour’s decision to confirm there will be no compensation for the women affected by state pension age changes.
“Labour told WASPI women they would right a historic wrong. Instead, they have turned their backs on them.
“This is a betrayal – and sadly part of a familiar pattern: promising fairness in opposition, then denying it once in power.
“These women were denied proper notice, denied the chance to plan, and now denied justice. That is simply not acceptable.
“It’s time for a law to stop political candidates telling the pubic one thing to get votes then putting a knife in our backs once in power.
“If Wales can do it why not Scotland. It’s a national disgrace.”
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