More Labour MPs join revolt over WASPI women as it emerges Chancellor Rachel Reeves campaigned for compensation alongside her MUM for those who suffered injustice

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a growing backlash to his decision to block compensation for millions of Waspi women - as it was revealed the Chancellor once railed against the injustice they faced alongside her mother.

A former shadow employment minister is among those urging the Prime Minister to reconsider the decision to rule out a package worth £10.5billion, while another senior MP said that a lot of MPs are very unhappy.

Sir Keir has insisted that taxpayers could not afford the compensation, but there have been calls for a vote or for Number 10 to reconsider.

The Guardian reported that as many as 100 Labour MPs could rebel if it is put to a vote. 

Sir Keir, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall – who ruled out a compensation package on Tuesday – are among the senior ministers who backed the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign when Labour was in opposition, including posing for pictures.

And last night it was revealed that Ms Reeves once campaigned against the change in the state pension age - making it 65 for both sexes - with her mum.

In 2016 she told a Parliamentary debate: The women who are being forced to wait longer for their pension, and who have been hit twice—by the changes in 1995 and then again in 2011—have been done an injustice.

In 2011, as shadow Pensions Minister, I was proud to work with Age UK, USDAW and many women, including my mother, in calling on the Government to think again.   

Ms Reeves once campaigned against the change in the state pension age - making it 65 for both sexes - with her mum. In 2016 she told a Parliamentary debate (pictured): The women who are being forced to wait longer for their pension, and who have been hit twice—by the changes in 1995 and then again in 2011—have been done an injustice.

She is among the senior ministers who backed the Waspi campaign when Labour was in opposition, including posing for pictures in 2020 (above)

However yesterday she said that the payout was not in the best interest of the taxpayer. 

Last night veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott told Newsnight that the Prime Minister has no feel for politics and accused him of not understanding how Waspi women feel. 

Asked how Labour MPs were feeling about the decision, the Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP told the programme: I think a lot of MPs are very unhappy.

Andy McDonald, who was shadow employment rights minister between 2020 and 2021, wrote to the Prime Minister to say the Government has made the wrong decision.

I urge you to reconsider this decision in the interests of justice for women denied a fair settlement, he said.

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he was deeply disappointed by the blanket decision to not award compensation, and thinks that ministers could have found a way forward.

Speaking to STV News, Mr Sarwar said: I can completely understand, and I believe I was one of the ones that campaigned with them, had photographs with them, I was right to do that, I was right to campaign with them.

I continue to stand with them in the face of their injustice. I think where there is justified frustration is in the blanket no compensation position.

Last night veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott told Newsnight that the Prime Minister has no feel for politics and accused him of not understanding how Waspi women feel.

He later added: I think a blanket no compensation position is the wrong one and Im deeply disappointed by that.

I think we could have found a way forward that recognised the difficult public finances, that recognised the difficult inheritance.

At Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Independent MP Ian Byrne asked the Prime Minister to give members the opportunity to vote on whether they believe Waspi women are owed compensation.

A newly elected MP is among those calling for ministers to reconsider the decision.

Brian Leishman, who has represented Alloa and Grangemouth since July, told Sky News that the Government really should deliver on the compensation.

Mr Leishman said he was shocked and disappointed by the decision.

This is a historical injustice that Waspi women have faced. We campaigned in opposition to correct that injustice, and now that were in power we really should deliver on that, he said.

Mr Leishman said there is a lot of disappointment and a lot of frustration among colleagues, and said he would completely endorse Mr Byrnes calls for a vote.

It is understood that the Liberal Democrats could consider means such as an opposition day or backbench debate if the Government chooses not to hold a vote.

On Wednesday, Downing Street said there were no plans for a vote on the issue.

However, The Guardian reports as many as 100 Labour MPs would be willing to vote against the Governments decision.

In March, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommended the Government pay compensation to women born in the 1950s whose state pension age was raised so it would be equal with men.

The watchdog said the women should be paid up to £2,950 each, a package with a potential total cost of £10.5 billion to the public purse, as poor communication meant they had lost out on the chance to plan their retirement finances.

The Prime Minister said research indicates that 90 per cent of those impacted knew about the changes that were taking place.

On Tuesday, Ms Kendall rejected this recommendation, though the Government has apologised for a 28-month delay in writing to the women.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister would not accept the suggestion he had misled Waspi campaigners, adding the decision had not been taken lightly.

However, the Waspi campaigners accused Sir Keir of cherry-picking the figures he referred to at the despatch box.

Angela Madden, chairwoman of Waspi, said: This isnt just misleading; its an insult to millions of 1950s-born women who were blindsided by these changes.

The ombudsmans findings were based on rigorous evidence showing that 60 per cent of women had no idea their own state pension age was rising.

The Governments attempt to cherry-pick data to suggest otherwise is spreading dangerous misinformation, plain and simple.