Kay Burley grills Labour minister over WASPI women ‘betrayal’ as Starmer compared to Gregg Wallace

Labour minister challenged in heated clash over WASPI women 'betrayal'Source: Sky News

Transcript

00:00The reality is this has been a very difficult issue for those affected and it's deeply regrettable

00:05and lessons will need to be learned. Liz Kendall has set out in the statement yesterday

00:11and apologised on behalf of the government.

00:14Yeah.

00:14And in terms of what we're doing more broadly, the triple lock means that there'll be £30 billion

00:20to pensioners in this Parliament.

00:22Who do you think middle class women of a certain age would find more offensive right now,

00:26Greg Wallace or Keir Starmer?

00:27Well, look, our focus is making sure we fix the foundations. We inherited a mess.

00:32We inherited a mess.

00:36We are focused on making sure that people are better off, including pensioners.

00:42That means the £30 billion in terms of the triple lock that will help pensioners

00:49and the other investment that will benefit pensioners, including investment in the NHS.

00:53Talking about WASP women, Minister, do you think, or let me put it this way,

00:58do you agree with the Prime Minister and the Work and Pensions Secretary

01:01that women affected by changes with the retirement age shouldn't be compensated?

01:05Do you think that's the right decision?

01:07These changes, the changes were made under the coalition government and Liz Kendall,

01:12Liz Kendall has apologised on behalf of the government.

01:15Back in 2019, your party promised a £58 billion package of compensation for these women.

01:22Why has the position changed so much from £58 billion to zip?

01:27Well, if you look at the ombudsman's report, it's very clear in terms of the fact that

01:32nine out of ten women would, it would not have made a difference in terms of

01:39the letters being received. And the focus is on how we use public money,

01:45and we don't believe that £10 billion, up to £10 billion in terms of compensation,

01:49would be a fair and proportionate response.

01:53And as I say, as I say, our focus is in tackling the cost of living crisis,

01:59improving living conditions, that includes pensioners and WASP women.