Campaigning Councillor Ross Cassie Reaffirms Support for WASPI Women

Troup SNP councillor Ross Cassie has reaffirmed his commitment to the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign with a pledge to continue to work in 2022 to ensure justice for the women in his Ward who are affected if he is re-elected next month.

During 2021, the findings of an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, condemned the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for “maladministration” in relation to changes to women’s state pensions.

The Ombudsman’s findings vindicated the campaign by WASPI and condemned the DWP for failing to provide “accurate, adequate and timely” information about changes to the state pension age for women.

Ross has worked closely with the local WASPI Group and Banff and Buchan Co-ordinator Olive Sharpe said:

“Ross has been a supporter of WASPI - Women Against State Pension Injustice - since the beginning. Realising that many 50's born Women in Troup Ward were denied their pension for up to 6 years and without notice would in many ways affect their contribution to their local economy, Ross has attended many of our meetings, giving advice on promoting our campaign locally and was the councillor who put forward a successful Motion to Aberdeenshire Council to contact Downing Street to compensate WASPI women for maladministration of the pension age change.

“We are grateful to Ross for his support of 50's born Women within the Troup Ward.”

Commenting, Cllr Ross Cassie said:

“The Westminster Government now needs to step up to the plate and compensate the 50's born Women. They have for their working lives paid their share of taxes unlike those in the Government who it would appear actively attempt to avoid such responsibility.

“To move the retirement age and not tell them is unjust and must be rectified by way of compensation for all those who have had to make life changing alterations and who have had to go without their expected retirement.

“The solution to this is in the UK Government’s hands and it needs to be quick and just. This campaign is far from over and I know the WASPI women will not rest until they get a positive outcome. They have my strong backing and I will continue to do what I can to help them achieve their aim.”