Latest news with #AngelaMadden
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
WASPI women call for State Pension age compensation to complete trio of UK Government U-turns
A State Pension age compensation scheme for WASPI women is due for debate in Parliament this week. Following concessions on Winter Fuel Payments and proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign (WASPI), is urging the UK Government to complete a trio of U-turns by reversing its decision not to compensate women impacted by changes to their State Pension age. WASPI say the final major 'political blunder' of the Labour Government should be made right. Angela Madden, Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality, said: 'Winter Fuel Payments and the PIP are but two of Labour's major political mistakes and betrayals. Compensation to WASPI women should now make for a hat trick of U-turns.' Ms Madden added: 'The independent Ombudsman's report was clear in endorsing compensation for 1950s-born women. Ministers should stop wasting taxpayers' money fighting us in court and agree to honour that recommendation.' WASPI announced last week that they had secured a vital legal safeguard in their bid for a High Court challenge. The campaign is seeking a judicial review to force the UK Government to reconsider its decision to rule out a compensation package for women affected by the way changes to the State Pension age were communicated. On June 23, WASPI said a limit has been placed on the campaign's liability for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) defence costs. WASPI said the DWP had agreed to a costs capping order, protecting each side in the event they lose. The campaigners previously said they had received an update to say that their case is arguable, setting them on course for a court hearing. A previous report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), published in March 2024, suggested compensation ranging between £1,000 and £2,950 could be appropriate for each of those affected. But in December 2024, the UK Government said that, while it accepted the ombudsman's finding of maladministration and apologised for there being a delay in writing to 1950s-born women, a blanket compensation scheme, which could cost taxpayers up to £10.5 billion, cannot be justified. Campaigners submitted arguments in February for a legal case challenging the decision not to compensate women. WASPI said the capping agreement limits its liability for UK Government legal costs to £60,000. But campaigners are continuing to ask supporters to contribute to its legal 'fighting fund,' saying they must raise enough to cover not only the capped costs, but those of the legal team fighting the case. WASPI chairwoman Angela Madden, explained: 'Without this safeguard, we faced a real risk of financial ruin - of effectively being silenced by the threat of Government legal bills running into hundreds of thousands of pounds. 'We now have the certainty we need to press on - but the costs of fighting this case remain very real.' She added: 'This is the fight of our lives.' A DWP spokesperson said: 'We do not comment on live litigation. We 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.' The Chair of the Backbench Business Committee recently confirmed there will be a parliamentary debate on a motion over 'financial redress for 1950s women impacted by the DWP maladministration of the State Pension ' this week. Bob Blackman confirmed the debate will take place on Thursday, July 3.
The National
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Waspi women call for 'hat-trick of U-turns' amid welfare climbdown
Labour have been forced into making a series of concessions on their welfare reform bill after more than 120 party MPs threatened to rebel against the Government in a vote next week. As part of the concessions, people who currently receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP), or the health element of Universal Credit, will continue to do so, but planned cuts to these payments will still hit future claimants. It comes after Labour announced a U-turn on cutting the Winter Fuel Payment, with the vast majority of pensioners in England and Wales now set to receive the benefit. READ MORE: Scotland reacts as Labour announce 'two-tier' benefits U-turn The Waspi campaign has now called on Labour to perform a third climbdown and deliver on recommendations from the Parliamentary Ombudsman by handing compensation to 1950s-born women affected by state pension age changes. Angela Madden, chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi), said: 'Winter fuel and the PIP are but two of Labour's major political mistakes and betrayals. 'Compensation to Waspi women should now make for a hat trick of U-turns. 'The independent Ombudsman's report was clear in endorsing compensation for 1950s women. "Ministers should stop wasting taxpayers' money fighting us in court and agree to honour that recommendation.' In March last year, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman said women born in the 1950s should be compensated for the Department of Work and Pension's failure to properly communicate state pension age changes. READ MORE: Keir Starmer suggests he didn't check 'island of strangers' speech But in December Labour minister Liz Kendall announced they would not be giving women compensation. Waspi is now seeking a judicial review of the UK Government's decision. Earlier this week, campaigners hailed a "major" breakthrough in their fight against the UK Government after judges approved a limit on the campaign's liability for DWP legal fees. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has agreed to a costs capping order after what Waspi described as "months of resistance". The Waspi group said it would have faced a real risk "of financial ruin" had this order not been agreed. Without the costs cap, Waspi would be liable for paying the UK Government's legal fees – which would be in the hundreds of thousands – should it lose its case. Earlier this month, senior High Court judge Mr Justice Swift, ruled that the case is 'arguable' and 'ought to be considered at a final hearing', meaning ministers could be ordered to re-think their position on compensation if Waspi wins in court.
Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
WASPI women clear 'significant hurdle' in bid for court review over pensions
The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign group has announced it has cleared a significant hurdle in its battle for a High Court challenge. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign group have announced a significant step forward in their fight for a High Court challenge. WASPI is pushing for a judicial review to compel the UK Government to rethink its decision to dismiss a compensation package for women impacted by the way changes to the State Pension age were communicated. On Friday, the campaigners revealed they've been informed their case is arguable, paving the way for a court hearing. A prior report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) suggested that compensation between £1,000 and £2,950 could be suitable for each affected individual. However, in December 2024, the UK Government stated that while it accepted the Ombudsman's finding of maladministration and apologised for the delay in contacting women born in the 1950s, a blanket compensation scheme, potentially costing taxpayers up to £10.5 billion, cannot be justified. In February, WASPI campaigners put forth arguments for a legal case challenging the decision not to compensate women, reports the Daily Record. The campaigners' lawyers argue that the UK Government's reasons for deciding that people should not receive any remedy violate legal principles. WASPI also anticipates a hearing to consider its application for a costs capping order, ensuring campaigners wouldn't be burdened with unknown costs to cover legal fees if they lose. Nevertheless, the organisation has warned it may need to withdraw its legal challenge if it lacks this monetary safety net and is appealing for more donations to support the fight. WASPI's chairwoman Angela Madden hailed the go-ahead in their legal battle as a "landmark moment in our campaign". Speaking out, she remarked: "We are grateful for the funds raised so far and understand the country's purse strings are tight, but the Government cannot be allowed to brush this injustice aside." Declining to give a detailed opinion due to ongoing proceedings, a spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions stated to PA news agency: "We do not comment on live litigation. We have apologised for there being a 28-month delay in writing to 1950s-born women." They continued to outline the department's stance: "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." This week, WASPI has been proactive by introducing a fresh interactive tool that reveals the level of MP support across the country for a compensation scheme aimed at helping around 3.6 million women impacted by the shift in their state pension age. Recent data uncovers that 179 MPs have openly criticised the UK Government's refusal to compensate the WASPI women in the past few months. Of these, WASPI points out that 56 Labour MPs have vocally condemned Number 10 for failing to address this injustice, with a considerable number more believed to be silently supportive, including several high-profile ministers. The map reveals a near-unanimous backing from smaller parties, with a robust coalition of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs rallying behind the call to compensate WASPI women. Minor parties are almost entirely in agreement, with a formidable alliance of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs endorsing the plea for WASPI women's compensation. Approximately a dozen Tory MPs have also recently reiterated their support for compensation. These revelations coincide with the launch of WASPI's revamped website, which now includes resources to help supporters pen letters to their MPs and join the campaign for a modest annual fee of £15. Among the most fervent advocates for WASPI women are members of the State Pension Inequality for Women APPG, led by Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey. This cross-party group of MPs, one of the largest in Parliament, comprises representatives from all major political parties who have pledged to persist in their quest for justice. However, according to WASPI campaigners, 134 MPs who previously supported calls for compensation have not reaffirmed their stance following the Labour Government's announcement in December. The data does not account for serving government ministers or whips, at least 80 of whom have previously expressed their support for the campaign. The stances of all MPs on compensation can be found on WASPI's interactive 'state of the nation' map, along with new campaign resources, here.
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
WASPI women announce new update in challenge for State Pension age change compensation
The WASPI campaign says they have been given a green light for High Court challenge. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign group say they have cleared a significant hurdle in their battle for a High Court challenge. WASPI is seeking a judicial review to force the UK Government to reconsider its decision to rule out a compensation package for women affected by the way changes to the State Pension age were communicated. The campaigners announced on Friday they have received an update to say that their case is arguable, setting them on course for a court hearing. A previous report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) suggested compensation ranging between £1,000 and £2,950 could be appropriate for each of those affected. However, in December 2024, the UK Government said that, while it accepted the Ombudsman's finding of maladministration and apologised for there being a delay in writing to 1950s-born women, a blanket compensation scheme, which could cost taxpayers up to £10.5 billion, cannot be justified. WASPI campaigners submitted arguments back in February for a legal case challenging the decision not to compensate women. Lawyers for the campaigners argue that the UK Government's reasons for concluding that people should not receive any remedy are a breach of legal principles. WASPI said it also expects a hearing to consider its application for a costs capping order, so that campaigners would not be forced to pay unknown costs to cover the legal fees should they lose. However, the group said that it may be forced to withdraw its challenge without this financial safeguard. It is also calling on supporters to help raise further funds for the legal challenge. WASPI chairwoman Angela Madden described the green light in its legal challenge as a 'landmark moment in our campaign'. She said: 'We are grateful for the funds raised so far and understand the country's purse strings are tight, but the Government cannot be allowed to brush this injustice aside.' Earlier this week, WASPI launched a new interactive tool which shows the UK-wide state of play of MP support for a compensation scheme for an estimated 3.6 million women affected by changes to their retirement age. The new analysis shows 179 MPs have publicly blasted the UK Government's decision not to compensate WASPI women in recent months. WASPI said that of these, 56 Labour MPs have openly criticised Downing Street's failure to deliver justice, while dozens more are thought to be supportive behind the scenes, including several senior ministers. The map shows how smaller parties are almost unanimous in their support, with a strong coalition of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs backing calls to compensate WASPI women. The smaller parties are almost unanimous in their support, with a strong coalition of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs backing calls to compensate WASPI women. Around a dozen Conservative MPs have also recently reaffirmed their support for compensation. The findings come at the launch of WASPI's new website, which has new resources to enable supporters to write to their MP and join the campaign for as little as £15 per year. Some of the strongest advocates for WASPI women include members of the State Pension Inequality for Women APPG, chaired by Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey. The cross-party group of MPs is one of the largest in Parliament and includes representatives from across the major political parties who have vowed to continue the fight for justice. However, WASPI campaigners say 134 MPs previously backed calls for compensation but have failed to reaffirm their support since the Labour Government's announcement in December. The figures do not include serving government ministers or whips, at least 80 of whom have previously pledged their support for the campaign. All MPs' positions on compensation can be found on WASPI's interactive 'state of the nation' map, alongside new campaign resources, here.
The National
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
'Landmark' reached in Waspi campaign for legal challenge to Government
WASPI campaigners say they have cleared a hurdle in their battle for a High Court challenge. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group is seeking a judicial review to force the Government to reconsider its decision to rule out a compensation package for women affected by the way changes to the state pension age were communicated. The campaigners said they have received an update to say that their case is arguable, setting them on course for a court hearing. READ MORE: SNP activists reveal HQ silenced Reform strategy warnings A previous report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PSHO) suggested compensation ranging between £1,000 and £2,950 could be appropriate for each of those affected. But in December 2024, the Government said that, while it accepted the ombudsman's finding of maladministration and apologised for there being a delay in writing to 1950s-born women, a blanket compensation scheme, which could cost taxpayers up to £10.5 billion, cannot be justified. Waspi campaigners submitted arguments back in February for a legal case challenging the decision not to compensate women. (Image: PA) Lawyers for the campaigners argue that the Government's reasons for concluding that people should not receive any remedy are a breach of legal principles. Waspi said it also expects a hearing to consider its application for a costs capping order, so that campaigners would not be forced to pay unknown costs to cover the legal fees should they lose. READ MORE: John Swinney defends 'two-horse race' comments after by-election loss to Labour The group said that it may be forced to withdraw its challenge without this financial safeguard. It is also calling on supporters to help raise further funds for the legal challenge. Waspi chairwoman Angela Madden described the green light in its legal challenge as a 'landmark moment in our campaign'. She said: 'We are grateful for the funds raised so far and understand the country's purse strings are tight, but the Government cannot be allowed to brush this injustice aside.'
