Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville also said lower life expectancy in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK risks inequalities in pensions.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has urged the UK Government to offer compensation to WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women. An estimated 3.5 million 1950s-born women have been affected by changes to their State Pension age by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), under successive governments.

A compensation scheme has previously been ruled out by the UK Government, with costs estimated at round £10.5 billion. Ms Somerville’s comments came in a response to the ongoing review of the State Pension age, which she said “must recognise Scotland’s demographics”.

A regular review of the State Pension age was opened earlier this year by the UK Government, with the Scottish Government submitting its views for any changes. In her submission, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said lower life expectancy in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK risks inequalities in pensions.

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The Social Justice Secretary said: “Here in Scotland, both men and women have a lower average life expectancy at the current State Pension age of 66.

“Inequalities in life expectancy, including healthy life expectancy, within the population are significant in Scotland, and reducing poverty and inequality therefore remains the best way of improving life expectancy.

“Nonetheless, it is important that current variations in life expectancy are highlighted in your review to ensure that any potential changes do not penalise those who have made similar contributions over the course of their lives.

“Pensions inequalities mean that women, people with multiple low pay jobs, disabled people, minority ethnic communities and people who are self-employed, all face lower pension incomes in retirement.”

While the Scottish Government is “doing everything within our powers” to tackle poverty, Ms Somerville added: “The Scottish Government does not want to see any changes that do not fundamentally consider Scotland’s unique challenges.”

She added: “Any review of the State Pension age must address previous mistakes and ensure justice for women born in the 1950s.

“Although the UK Government acknowledged their mishandling of this, there has yet to be any compensation paid to the WASPI women despite pressure from both stakeholders and the Scottish Government.

“It is vital that this review ensures that any changes are communicated clearly and fairly, so that similar distress is not repeated.”

During DWP oral questions in Parliament on Monday, Lib Dem MP Lee Dillon highlighted how over 5,200 women in his constituency of Newbury “have been unfairly affected by changes to the State Pension age”.

He said: “Those women were wronged through no fault of their own, and they deserve justice. With a High Court hearing due in December, this could be a crucial moment for the Government – a moment to finally do the right thing.

“Will the Secretary of State now listen to the ombudsman’s recommendations and commit to providing compensation to women of the Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign?”

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden responded: “I have to remind (Mr Dillon) that when his party was in government, it supported the acceleration in the rise of the Basic State Pension age, and that has given rise to some of the questions he raises.

“You would not expect me to comment on ongoing litigation, Mr Speaker, and I will not, but I can assure (Mr Dillon) and the House that we will take all relevant factors into account when considering the process for the future.”

WASPI reported earlier this year that a two-day showdown in court between campaigners and senior UK Government lawyers will begin on December 9, 2025.

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