Campaigners for 1950s-born women affected by pension age changes have gathered cross-party support urging the Government to make a decision on potential compensation
Thursday is set to be a key day in a long saga. Waspi campaigners have secured backing from 100 MPs for a letter pressing the Government to “reach the right decision” for women born in the 1950s. The correspondence calls on Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden to provide an update on proposals by March 2 “at the latest”.
Last November, Mr McFadden announced his department would revisit a previous decision not to compensate 1950s-born women affected by state pension age increases, specifically regarding how the changes were communicated. This followed court proceedings which led to the rediscovery of a 2007 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assessment that had prompted officials to cease sending automatic pension forecast letters.
However, Mr McFadden stopped short of guaranteeing the review would result in any compensation payments. Campaign organisers confirmed the letter will be dispatched on Thursday.
Angela Madden, chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi), said: “It’s high time that ministers stopped stalling and started compensating Waspi women.”
Steve Darling, Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesperson, said: “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.
“The Parliamentary Ombudsman has been clear, the public are clear, and now MPs from across the political spectrum are clear: compensation must happen.”
A report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) previously 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 Government will necessarily decide that it should award financial compensation.”
