Latest news with #WomenAgainstStatePensionInequality
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.
Telegraph
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Taxpayers face six-figure bill in Waspi women legal row
Taxpayers are facing a six-figure bill for a legal challenge brought by women seeking compensation over changes to their state pension. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign launched a judicial review in April after the Government ignored a report by the Parliament and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) and refused payouts for 3.6 million women, who claim they were not informed that their state pension age was increasing. The group said it could have faced 'financial ruin' by funding the challenge, but the High Court has now ordered a £60,000 cap on its contribution to the Government's legal fees if it is unsuccessful. Reacting to the decision, the campaign said it had avoided being silenced by Government legal bills that could have run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. The Waspi campaign represents women born in the 1950s who were forced to wait up to six years longer for their state pension after their retirement age was equalised with men. The group has long argued that the women were not adequately informed of the change by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), affecting their ability to plan for their retirement and causing them financial harm. The PHSO agreed in a damning report published last March, which asked Parliament to intervene with payouts of up to £2,950. However, Sir Keir Starmer ruled out compensation in December, saying that 90pc of women knew about the changes and that the country could not afford the £10.5bn cost. The Waspi campaign announced it would seek a judicial review of the decision and has since crowdfunded £225,000 from supporters. However, it said it would have faced financial ruin if it lost the case and had to pay the DWP's legal fees. The High Court ruling now caps the campaign's contribution to the Government's legal costs at £60,000 if the challenge fails. If it succeeds, the Government's contribution to the Waspi campaign's fees would be limited to £90,000. Angela Madden, chairman of Waspi, said: 'This agreement – fully approved by the court – is a vital step forward in our legal campaign. 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. Our expert legal team is showing they can and do win victories against the Government, but it takes time and forensic presentation of our evidence, and that costs money. 'This is the fight of our lives, and we can't win it without public support.' Sahil Kher, of law firm Kingsley Napley, said the High Court's decision indicated that the case could succeed. He said: 'Judicial reviews are only granted when there is a matter of general public importance, which considers, among other things, the number of people impacted and how significant that impact is). The Waspi women have succeeded in convincing the Court, or rather the Government has conceded the point, that this threshold is met. 'The fact that they have got permission to proceed with the judicial review means the judge has concluded that there is at least an arguable case with some prospect of success.' Labour promised to 'right a historical wrong' and pay Waspi women compensation of up to £31,300 in the run-up to the 2019 general election, but made no mention of the issue in its latest manifesto. Waspi has since warned up to 150 Labour MPs that they could lose their seats over the denial of compensation, handing the next election to Reform.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Waspi group: Safeguard will ‘prevent risk of financial ruin' in compensation bid
Waspi campaigners say they have secured a vital legal safeguard in their bid 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. On Monday, 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) 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. 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 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. Angela Madden, chairwoman of Waspi, said: '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.'
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.
The Independent
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Waspi campaigners say they have been given green light for High Court challenge
Waspi campaigners say they have cleared a hurdle in their battle for a High Court challenge. The Women Against State Pension Inequality 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. 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. 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. 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.'
