Women affected by changes to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) state pension age are intensifying their legal battle for compensation, as new developments emerged following their petition for justice. On March 17, 2025, members of the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequalities) campaign gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice to rally support for their claims, following rejection from the government of compensation payments worth £2,950 per person as suggested by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).
The campaign has gained momentum amid claims of 'total denial of justice', as the Labour government's previous administration faced criticism for its refusal to heed the Ombudsman’s recommendations. This legal battle centers on the inequitable treatment of women born in the 1950s, whose state pension ages were raised to match those of men, leading to significant financial impacts on their retirement plans.
Angela Madden, chairwoman of WASPI, expressed the motivation behind their legal push, stating: "We do not want to be taking legal action, but we have been forced to, due to the Government’s total denial of justice. The Government has an opportunity now to get around the table and engage meaningfully with us. If they don’t, they will have to continue to defend the indefensible, but this time in front of senior judges.”
The legal bid was built upon the back of a petition rallying more than 160,000 signatures, which MPs debated passionately on the same day. Liberal Democrat MP Dr. Roz Savage called out government claims, labeling them as “deeply offensive.” She highlighted the pressing nature of the issue, saying, “The clock is ticking. Over 300,000 1950s-born women have died since this campaign began, with one passing away every 13 minutes. The solution is clear. The Government must act now to compensate WASPI women fairly and swiftly. These women have served their community, family, and country, and it’s time we serve them.”
Adding to the growing chorus of concern, Labour MP Jon Trickett lamented the “burning sense of injustice” felt by the campaigners, noting how past commitments during the election have failed to materialize under the current administration. Conservative Party MP Sir John Hayes criticized the former Labour MPs who promised support pre-election but have not since taken action.
The government has rebuffed the calls for compensation on fiscal grounds, citing the potential £10.5 billion cost as untenable. A government spokesperson remarked, “We do not comment on live litigation. We accept the ombudsman’s finding of maladministration and have apologized for there being a 28-month delay. Evidence shows only one in four people recall receiving letters about the state pension changes, and by 2006, 90% of 1950s-born women were aware of the alterations.”
This refusal has spurred WASPI campaigners to seek judicial review, with anticipation of initial court proceedings forthcoming. With over £150,000 raised to fund this challenge, the campaigners are more resolute than ever. Commenting on their fundraising efforts and commitment to justice, Madden stated, “We are determined to hold the government accountable and pursue this compensation until we achieve our goal.”
During the Westminster Hall debate, various Labour MPs criticized the government for not adhering to the Ombudsman’s findings from last year. Labour MP Patricia Ferguson conveyed shared disappointment, saying she hoped parliament's decisions would align with the Ombudsman’s directives. “It is not too late to put it right,” she urged, as other MPs echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the need for rectifying this situation.
Ian Byrne, yet another Labour MP, called for the government’s reconsideration and options for compensation: “The current position is the wrong position, and I genuinely urge the Government to rethink it.” This reflects the growing awareness issued across party lines about rectifying perceived injustices toward these women.
The PHSO's prior reports have underscored the necessity of redress for the women affected - much like Brian Leishman’s sentiments when stating, “The next UK government could be a hardline far-right effort if Labour did not deliver improved living standards.”
Concluding the debate, Treasury and Pensions Minister Torsten Bell addressed the MPs, highlighting the government's stance on the Ombudsman’s findings, stating: "We respect their work and acknowledge the administration errors, yet we do not agree with their proposed remedies for injustice." Both the debates and legal avenues taken by WASPI draw attention to broader discussions about women’s rights and social injustices within the United Kingdom, as campaigners await their day at the High Court.
