Chamber and committees

Thanks—that is helpful.

Does the cabinet secretary agree that, despite increased funding from the Scottish Government to local authorities, Labour’s public-private partnership repayments and the national insurance hike are having a significant impact on councils’ ability to balance their budgets?

I am pleased to speak in the debate and I congratulate my colleague, Kenneth Gibson, on securing it. I, too, welcome our WASPI women who are in the public gallery tonight—it is great to see women from my constituency here.

How society treats pensioners and those who are most vulnerable is a measure of our humanity. The decision by the UK Labour Government not to compensate the WASPI women, who have worked tirelessly throughout their lives, tells us everything that we need to know about how the Labour Government values pensioners. Despite the ombudsman’s report being clear on the failures of the UK Government and of the DWP, and being crystal clear that compensation is owed, the Labour Government has ignored that. It is an appalling decision and a complete betrayal of the WASPI women. Those women were robbed of their pensions, and there is simply no justification for the UK Government to deny them compensation.

In my constituency, the decision will affect more than 4,700 women in East Dunbartonshire and 6,000 in West Dunbartonshire. The decision not only contradicts the recommendations in the ombudsman’s report, but contradicts what Labour said to get elected in 2024. For years, Labour MPs and MSPs have stated that they support the WASPI women and have promised to help deliver justice. Anas Sarwar said:

“Under my leadership, WASPI women will finally receive the justice they deserve”.

Just back in May, Paul O’Kane said:

“Labour is very clear that we support the principles contained in the PHSO report, which includes the principle that we must compensate those women.”—[Official Report, 1 May 2024; c 45.]

I could go on and on. Labour promised change, but all that the WASPI women got was betrayal and deception.

In June, just prior to the general election, I spoke in a WASPI debate that was brought to the chamber by my colleague, Clare Haughey. In my speech, I said that

“there will be no change under a”

Labour Government, and that the Labour Party had

“decided that WASPI women do not matter to it”—[Official Report, 19 June 2024; c 92-93.]

any more. I am sure that I was not alone in saying that.

Only six months later, we were proved right. Days after the announcement, I stood in solidarity with WASPI women outside the Parliament, and I look forward to meeting with WASPI women across my constituency in the coming weeks. The decision was a huge and devastating blow to the WASPI women and I stand firm with them. Time is, unfortunately, not on their side, and I know that, sadly, many WASPI women have passed away without receiving any compensation. They have received setbacks before, and in the face of those setbacks they have remained courageous and determined. They have put the work in and have campaigned tirelessly for a decade now, and it is time for them to see action and to see money in their bank accounts.

With a Labour UK Government, however, I do not expect to see change any time soon. I welcome Katy Clark’s contribution tonight, and I urge her and her colleagues to put pressure on Keir Starmer and to stand up to him to bring about justice for our WASPI women. We do not want to continue using the WASPI women as photo opportunities—we want to stand firm with them. Only time will tell, but as of now, it is as clear as day that only the SNP will champion the WASPI women’s right to fair and fast compensation, and only the SNP will continue to stand with them and push the UK Government to take action.

18:24  

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire councils, as part of the local government settlement for 2025-26. (S6O-04194)

Good morning. You are aware that Parliament recently agreed a moratorium on new commissions and a root-and-branch review of existing commissions. What are your thoughts on that position? I will go to Jan Savage first, because she is nodding her head.

Thank you. That is helpful to the committee. Professor O’Hagan, do you have anything further to add?

Those are helpful comments that the committee will take away.

Going back to the discussion about powers, in your earlier responses to Maggie Chapman it sounded as though the commission is seeking further powers. Is that the case? You spoke about having limited resources as well. Do you feel that you are adequately resourced to fulfil your duties?

Thanks. That information was helpful.

Labour promises a new direction, but now we see that what it means is that it will rush in brutal cuts to winter support for pensioners. Does the cabinet secretary agree that that betrayal underlines just how important it is that decisions on winter heating benefits are made here, where our devolved Parliament can listen to vulnerable households and make the right decisions for the people of Scotland?

Absolutely. It could be any one of us in that situation. Parliamentarians need to be mindful of the language that they use.

Disabled people are extremely concerned about the UK Government’s plans for personal independence payment and work capability assessments. Do you have concerns about how those plans will impact the social security budget through the block grant?