In a long-running battle, campaigners for women born in the 1950s who were affected by state pension age increases have secured cross-party support, urging the Government to make a decision on potential compensation by March 2 at the latest.
The correspondence, signed by over 100 MPs, calls on Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden to provide an update on proposals for these women, known as the “Waspi” (Women Against State Pension Inequality) group. Last November, McFadden announced his department would revisit a previous decision not to compensate 1950s-born women, specifically regarding how the changes were communicated.
This followed court proceedings that led to the rediscovery of a 2007 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assessment, which had prompted officials to cease sending automatic pension forecast letters. However, McFadden stopped short of guaranteeing the review would result in any compensation payments.
Angela Madden, chair of Waspi, said: “It’s high time that ministers stopped stalling and started compensating Waspi women.” Steve Darling, the Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesperson, echoed this sentiment, stating: “The Government cannot keep kicking this injustice into the long grass. Waspi women did everything right, yet they were denied proper notice and the chance to plan for their retirement.”
A previous report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) had recommended compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950 for each individual affected by the way state pension changes were communicated. However, in December 2024, the Government acknowledged the Ombudsman’s finding of maladministration and apologised for delays in writing to women born in the 1950s, but stated that a blanket compensation scheme, potentially costing taxpayers up to £10.5 billion, could not be justified.
A DWP spokesperson said: “Last month we committed to retake the decision and as set out, we will do so within the three-month period. This should not be taken as an indication that the Government will necessarily decide that it should award financial compensation.”
With the March 2 deadline looming, the campaign for justice for 1950s-born women continues, as they await the Government’s decision on potential compensation.
