When it comes to compensating women affected by changes to the state pension age, it was always unlikely that either the current Labour government or its Conservative predecessor would be willing to pay up. While the government’s institutional failure in this regard was not as serious as other scandals like the Post Office or infected blood, the cost of potential compensation would have been huge. With ministers already struggling to balance budgets, there was no extra money to spare.
The problem for Sir Keir Starmer is that expectation management has failed spectacularly. Although his party did not promise to pay compensation to those affected in its general election manifesto, the leader and other senior figures like Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves have been photographed alongside campaigners from Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi). This has led campaigners to believe that the Labour Party supports their cause and will be willing to pay compensation if elected.
Labour’s show of sympathy for those affected by pension changes has not helped the party in government, however. Perhaps unsurprisingly, when it comes to financial compensation, Labour has not fulfilled the expectations set during its time in opposition. This has led to accusations of hypocrisy and betrayal, casting doubt on the ability of any administration to be trusted.
The challenges facing the government today are numerous. The economy is shrinking, the cancellation of the winter fuel payment for pensioners has caused outrage, and a rise in employers’ National Insurance has squeezed businesses and charities. Meanwhile, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is looking to leverage public discontent and convince voters that neither Labour nor the Conservatives can make a meaningful difference.
In the end, the only solution for the government is to prove that it can deliver on its promises. But with the difficulties of governing in the 2020s, there is no guarantee that either party can satisfy an impatient electorate. As the years roll on, it seems likely that Westminster will continue to be a fractious and angry place, with no respite in sight
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