Women involved in the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign have announced a significant update regarding their ongoing fight against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Following a 2024 Ombudsman report, which found that many women were not adequately informed about changes to their state pension age, the report recommended compensation of £2,950 for those affected.
Despite the Ombudsman’s findings, the Labour Party and DWP have declined to issue these payouts. WASPI’s legal team has since conducted a detailed review of the government’s latest decision, and their barristers have been fully briefed. They are scheduled to meet shortly and will share further steps based on legal advice.
In a statement in the House of Commons after Christmas, DWP Minister Pat McFadden acknowledged that the government could have communicated the pension age changes earlier. However, he emphasized that no payouts would be made. McFadden argued that most women born in the 1950s were aware of the changes due to extensive public information campaigns through leaflets, education initiatives, GP surgeries, media outlets, and online platforms.
He also highlighted the challenge of compensating only those who truly suffered injustice, noting that a reliable method to verify individual circumstances among millions of women does not exist. Furthermore, McFadden cited the cost concerns, stating a flat-rate payout scheme could cost up to £10.3 billion and deemed it unfair as it would include many women who were already informed.
Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions spokesman Steve Darling condemned the government’s stance, calling it a “hammer blow” to millions of women who expected fair treatment. He criticized the government for ignoring the independent Ombudsman’s findings and declared the decision “heartless.” Darling vowed that the Liberal Democrats would continue to press ministers to secure fair compensation for those affected.
WASPI campaigners remain determined to challenge the government’s refusal and are awaiting the outcome of their legal consultations in the coming days.