WASPI campaigners are threatening the Government with legal action if it does not reconsider its refusal to compensate millions of women impacted by changes to the state pension age. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) group has issued a "letter before action" to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), marking the potential for High Court proceedings if the issue remains unresolved.
At the heart of this conflict lies the Government's treatment of 1950s-born women who saw their state pension age equalised with men's. A watchdog had suggested compensation for these women, yet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated the taxpayers cannot bear what could amount to a £10.5 billion burden. The plight of these women, many of whom have faced financial difficulties, has led campaigners to express their discontent toward the Government's handling of the situation.
Angela Madden, the chairwoman of WASPI, emphasized the determination of campaigners not to let the Department for Work and Pensions "gaslight" them any longer. "The Government has accepted 1950s-born women are victims of maladministration, but it now says none of us suffered any injustice," she stated, adding her belief of how "outrageous" and "legally incorrect" this stance is. Madden has stated, "We have been successful before and we are confident we will be again," urging the Secretary of State to engage seriously on the matter of compensation.
The financial burden on approximately 3.6 million UK women originated when changes to equalise retirement ages with men were first implemented back in the 1990s. Although research conducted by the Government indicates by as early as 2006, 90% of affected women were aware of the impending pension age adjustments, many reportedly faced hardship and had to rethink their retirement plans. The rapid acceleration of these changes was implemented during the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government over ten years ago, compounding the issue with the substantial 28-month delay to notify women about the changes.
While the Government acknowledges this maladministration and has issued apologies, it remains firm on its refusal to fund compensation, citing evidence claiming only one-quarter of affected women recalled receiving letters about the changes. A Government spokesperson elaborated, "For these and other reasons the government cannot justify paying for a £10.5 billion compensation scheme at the expense of the taxpayer. Earlier letters wouldn’t have affected this," dismissing the proposal made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman for payments of up to £2,950 per woman as "legally wrong."
This refusal has sparked significant backlash from WASPI campaigners who continue to seek justice for their members. With £75,000 raised through Crowdjustice to fund their legal battle, the group has set a fourteen-day deadline for the Government to respond, otherwise, they will proceed with their case. The campaigners hope for productive dialogue, with Madden expressing, "What would bebetter for everyone is if the Secretary of State now saw sense and came to the table to sort out a compensation package." She warns of the potential consequences should the Government choose to defend the indefensible, potentially facing scrutiny from the legal system.
The demand for justice brings about important discussions on women's rights and social justice within state systems. With many women still grappling with their altered pension paths, the WASPI campaign has emerged as both a voice and symbol of this struggle. The outcome of this legal confrontation may set important precedents for how grievances about government decisions, particularly those impacting women, are handled moving forward.