The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign group has intensified its conflict with the government following the rejection of compensation for women born in the 1950s affected by changes to the state pension age. The government’s decision has sparked outrage among campaigners and reignited debate over the fairness of pension reforms.
Who Are the WASPI Women?
WASPI represents women who argue that state pension age reforms unfairly impacted them, leaving many financially and emotionally strained. Initially, women could claim their state pension at age 60. However, reforms implemented between 2010 and 2018 increased the retirement age to 65 to align it with men’s. Further changes in 2020 raised the state pension age to 66, with plans for an additional rise to 67 by 2028.
The campaign group claims the government failed to notice these changes sufficiently, leaving many women unprepared for the financial implications. Some faced difficulties paying bills, others were forced to work through ill health, and many have struggled to make ends meet. According to WASPI, over 250,000 women impacted by the reforms have died since the campaign began.
What Happened This Week?
The issue reached a critical juncture this week when the government formally announced its refusal to compensate WASPI women. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told Parliament that it would not be a “fair or proportionate use of taxpayers’ money” to provide payouts estimated to cost between £3.5 billion and £10.5 billion.
The announcement comes months after the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) published its findings in March 2024. The PHSO concluded that affected women needed to be adequately informed about the pension age changes and recommended the government establish a compensation scheme. The suggested payouts ranged from £1,000 to £2,950 per person.
Despite these recommendations, the government opted not to proceed, arguing that the financial burden on taxpayers outweighed the potential benefits of compensation.
WASPI’s Reaction
The WASPI campaign group has fiercely criticised the government’s decision, accusing ministers of ignoring the PHSO’s independent recommendations.
Angela Madden, chairwoman of WASPI, expressed her frustration:
“The government has today made an unprecedented political choice to ignore the clear recommendations of an independent watchdog which ordered ministers urgently to compensate WASPI women nine months ago.
“This is a bizarre and unjustified move which will leave everyone asking what the point of an ombudsman is if ministers can simply ignore their decisions.”
Madden’s remarks also reflected a sense of betrayal, particularly by politicians who had previously expressed support for the campaign.
Political Implications
The decision has caused tension within the political sphere, particularly for Labour, which had previously voiced support for WASPI women while in opposition. Campaigners have accused Labour leader Keir Starmer and his party of failing to uphold their promises, leaving many feeling abandoned.
The government, meanwhile, has been criticised for its lack of accountability. Critics argue that ministers have undermined the watchdog’s authority by disregarding the PHSO’s recommendations.
The Government’s Justification
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has defended its decision, citing the financial implications of compensating all affected women. While acknowledging the hardship faced by WASPI women, the DWP argued that the costs involved in offering compensation were not justifiable given broader fiscal pressures.
In its report, the PHSO recognised the potential financial burden, noting the substantial cost of compensating all affected women. However, it urged Parliament to act swiftly to address the injustice.
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What’s Next for WASPI?
With the government refusing compensation, WASPI has vowed to escalate its campaign. The group is expected to intensify its efforts to secure financial redress, including potential legal challenges and public advocacy.
WASPI’s determination remains unwavering. For its members, the fight is not just about financial compensation but also justice, accountability, and recognition of the hardship caused by the state pension reforms. As the debate continues, the WASPI campaign serves as a powerful reminder of the human impact of policy decisions.
