The Ombudsman previously recommended payouts up to £3,000 for the WASPI women
The WASPI campaign has had fresh support as an MP has backed their cause in Parliament. Independent MP Brian Leishman, who was suspended from Labour in July 2025, warned the Government about the public “anger” about the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) issue.
Ministers announced at the end of last year there would be no compensation for the 1950s-born generation of women represented by WASPI and other campaign groups. This was despite the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommending the women should get payouts ranging from £1,000 to £2,950.
During a Commons debate on welfare spending, Mr Leishman urged the Labour Government to “listen to what people are saying”. He explained: “What I hear from people on the doorstep and when I am out campaigning is anger at things like the two-child benefit cap, Winter Fuel [Payments], the treatment of the WASPI women, and welfare cuts.
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“When will the leadership appreciate that the people impacted by those things are our people—our class? Instead of chasing disaffected Tory right-wing votes, what about looking after our core vote?”
What is the WASPI debate about?
WASPI is one of several campaign groups who represent women born in the 1950s, who were affected when the state pension age for women jumped up from 60 to 65 and then 66. They argue that the DWP did not do enough to inform them of the change, with many unaware until they neared what they thought was their retirement age.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Omudbudsman investigated the case, concluding there were major errors on the part of the DWP, as a letter should have been sent out to the women sooner. The watchdog proposed payouts ranging from £1,000 to £2,950.
But the Government announced at the end of last year there would be no compensation. Ministers made the case that most of the women did know of the change and that it would have made little difference to send out letters sooner. They also said that it would be a poor use of taxpayer cash to provide compensation.
WASPI has now applied for a judicial review of this decision, which will be heard at the high court on December 9 and 10. A DWP spokesperson said previously about the judicial review: “We do not comment on live litigation. We accept the Ombudsman’s finding of maladministration and have apologised for there being a 28-month delay in writing to 1950s-born women.
“However, we do not agree with the Ombudsman’s approach to injustice or remedy and that is why we have decided not to pay compensation.”
