Gordon Macdonald MSP has hit out at UK Labour government’s betrayal of WASPI women as figures from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) reveal 24,230 women across Edinburgh may have lost out on pension payments.
As a result of the DWP’s failure to inform them of changes to the state pension age, it is estimated that a total of 355,910 women across Scotland did not receive money they were entitled to.
Now, following their electoral victory in July last year, the UK Labour government have reneged on their promise to compensate these women. The SNP however continues to call for the WASPI Women to receive the compensation they deserve, doing so again in a Holyrood debate this week.
Commenting, Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “The Labour government’s betrayal of the WASPI Women is utterly shameful.
“As many as 24,230 across Edinburgh have lost out as a result of a UK government mistake, and many have tirelessly campaigned for decades to right this wrong.
“For the Labour Party – after mere months in power – to break their promise to compensate these women is wrong and an enormous breach of trust.
“The SNP will continue to campaign alongside the WASPI Women for the compensation they deserve. I urge the Labour government to see sense and u-turn on their decision.”
Based on NRS mid-year 2023 population estimates
| Local authority | Number |
| Aberdeen City | 11,360 |
| Aberdeenshire | 16,560 |
| Angus | 7,990 |
| Argyll and Bute | 6,670 |
| City of Edinburgh | 24,230 |
| Clackmannanshire | 3,320 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 11,120 |
| Dundee City | 7,820 |
| East Ayrshire | 7,860 |
| East Dunbartonshire | 7,480 |
| East Lothian | 7,170 |
| East Renfrewshire | 6,130 |
| Falkirk | 9,500 |
| Fife | 23,710 |
| Glasgow City | 29,560 |
| Highland | 16,430 |
| Inverclyde | 5,490 |
| Midlothian | 5,630 |
| Moray | 6,240 |
| Na h-Eileanan Siar | 1,890 |
| North Ayrshire | 9,730 |
| North Lanarkshire | 19,840 |
| Orkney Islands | 1,520 |
| Perth and Kinross | 10,500 |
| Renfrewshire | 11,240 |
| Scottish Borders | 8,740 |
| Shetland Islands | 1,380 |
| South Ayrshire | 8,610 |
| South Lanarkshire | 21,140 |
| Stirling | 5,400 |
| West Dunbartonshire | 5,820 |
| West Lothian | 10,070 |
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