Up to 100 Labour MPs may rebel over PM's block on Waspi payouts

Up to 100 Labour MPs may vote against the decision to rule out spending £10bn compensating Waspi women, the Guardian has been told.

- Aletha Adu Jessica Elgot

The work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, announced yesterday there would be no compensation for women born in the 1950s who were not aware of changes to the state pension age, despite a recommendation from the parliamentary ombudsman in March that £1,000 to £2,950 should be paid out to each of the more than 3 million women affected.

The prime minister denied MPs a vote on the issue, and told the Commons that taxpayers could not afford the £10.5bn compensation package that was recommended by the parliamentary ombudsman as his own MPs accused him of "betrayal" during PMQs. It is understood the Liberal Democrats could force a backbench business vote on the issue, which could potentially give way to the biggest rebellion of the parliament.

One Labour MP called it the party's "tuition fee moment", given how many politicians have stood with campaign groups and placards in solidarity with the women hit by the rising state pension age, with many privately feeling embarrassed by the move, given they thought they were following Labour policy.