A total of 64% of voters say ministers should stick to official recommendations and provide “fair compensation” to WASPI women
A new poll has revealed widespread support for the Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign (WASPI) following a major setback. Research by Yonder, commissioned by WASPI, indicates that three-quarters of Brits reckon the government should overturn their choice not to award compensation to millions of women born in the 1950s hit by state pension age rises.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) report of March 21, 2024 said “Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy”. It suggested redress on the lines of level four on its scale, pegging between £1,000 and £2,950.
Yet last month Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said there’s going to be “no scheme of financial compensation” for those stung by changes to the pension timetable. In a December 17 declaration to MPs, Ms Kendall owned up to bungles by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and said sorry for the muddle around the shift in retirement age, expressing regret on behalf of the UK government.
However, a fresh check courtesy of the WASPI campaign reveals public anger is widespread. Two-thirds (64%) of the electorate insist the bigwigs should follow the PHSO’s verdict and fork out “fair compensation” to the WASPI women.
Despite ministerial claims that compensating WASPI women would unfairly burden taxpayers, fresh details challenge this stance. Ms Kendall explained to Parliament the hefty price of adhering to the PHSO’s suggestion for compensation: “Given the great majority of women knew that the State Pension Age was increasing, the Government does not believe paying a flat rate to all women – at a cost of up to £10.5 billion – would be a fair or proportionate use of taxpayers’ money,” reports the Daily Record.
WASPI represents 3.6 million women who feel they were not adequately informed about changes to their State Pension age, and say their retirement plans have been affected. A vast majority of those surveyed, around 78%, feel let down by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for breaking his pledge, in which he said: “I support fair and fast compensation for 1950s women.”
Additionally, 76% of the public are demanding MPs vote in Parliament on the matter, taking power away from ministers. That’s a move that campaigners back.
Within Labour itself, according to Labour List, over 35 MPs have openly denounced the denial of compensation. Many more are reportedly pressing the issue behind closed doors.
In the upcoming Liberal Democrat-prompted opposition vote, Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, Brian Leishman, has pledged his support to the WASPI women, stating: “I will be doing the right thing and voting for WASPI women to receive the justice they are due.”
He championed Labour’s commitment to social justice, saying, “Labour is the party of social justice and equality. After a decade of support from across the Labour movement, the WASPI women are not a political football – they are a generation of women who deserve the justice we have promised them.”
He also added: “When that opposition vote comes, I will be doing the right thing and voting for WASPI women to receive the justice they are due and deserve.”
Meanwhile, Angela Madden, Chair of the WASPI Campaign, voiced her frustration, remarking: “For years we campaigned with prominent Cabinet members who have now reneged on their promises and decided not to deliver justice, despite the clear findings of the Ombudsman’s report and the unwavering public support.”
She criticised the alleged lack of integrity among those in power and the impact on public trust, adding: “Not only does this question their integrity but throws public trust in our institutions into disarray. The Parliamentary Ombudsman is there to hold the Government to account. Labour’s decision to ignore it rides roughshod over our constitutional checks and balances.
“Without a government- led proposal to compensate WASPI women, MPs need to step up and do all that’s in their power to secure proper compensation. WASPI women have rallied across the country in response to Labour’s disgraceful decision with the number of women joining our campaign growing significantly last month. On behalf of the 3.6 million women affected, we will continue to fight using all avenues available to achieve justice.”
A survey conducted by Yonder between January 3-5, 2025, polled 2,079 British adults. Conservative MP Sir John Hayes has successfully secured parliamentary time for a debate on State Pension age compensation, scheduled for Wednesday, January 15 at 2.30pm in Westminster Hall.
The debate can be watched on Parliament TV here.
