The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign is ramping up its efforts against the Labour government, threatening to take legal action over compensation for millions of women who were adversely affected by changes to the state pension age. This action follows the Labour government's decision to reject calls for compensation, which has been met with outrage from those affected.
WASPI has previously been at the forefront of advocating for 1950s-born women whose state pension ages were raised to match those of men. The government had indicated back in December 2022, led by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, it would not pay compensation, asserting taxpayers could not shoulder the potential £10.5 billion price tag for the scheme.
On Monday, the campaign sent a 'letter before action' to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), putting the government on notice to reconsider its stance or face High Court proceedings. Angela Madden, chairwoman of the WASPI campaign, expressed dismay, stating, "We will not allow the DWP’s gaslighting of WASPI women to go unchallenged." She emphasized the financial and emotional struggles many women have faced due to the abrupt changes.
Currently, women born in the 1950s stand to face financial hardship due to the pension changes. Pensions Minister Torsten Bell, acknowledging the plight of affected individuals, highlighted the availability of Pension Credit, which can average up to £4,200 annually. This benefit is aimed at those whose incomes fall below the stipulated thresholds for government assistance.
The crux of the WASPI campaign's argument hinges on the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) findings released last year, which recommended compensation of up to £2,950 for each affected woman. The government’s refusal to act on these recommendations has drawn sharp criticism. Madden has been vocally supportive of these recommendations, arguing, "The Government has accepted 1950s-born women are victims of maladministration, but they now claim we haven't suffered any injustice. This is not only outrageous but legally incorrect."
The government asserts the situation is nuanced. A spokesperson stated, "We accept the Ombudsman’s finding of maladministration and have apologised for the 28-month delay. Yet, by 2006, research indicated 90% of 1950s-born women were well aware of the changes to the state pension age." The spokesperson emphasized the impossibility of justifying the costs of compensatory measures at the current level of funding.
This month, the WASPI campaign is pushing for more attention on their cause, coinciding with MPs set to debate proposals stemming from their online petition for compensation. Madden and her colleagues may find some respite as Labour ministers, including Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, have previously expressed sympathy for their struggles when the party occupied opposition benches.
The campaign, which has been widely supported by protest actions, is also bolstering its legal battle through fundraising efforts, with over £75,000 aimed at facilitating their court case. The urgency of their plight has sparked considerable public interest and media coverage.
With millions of women still grappling with the ramifications of these pension reforms, many feel they've been misled and ignored. Madden urges resolved dialogue, stating there's still time for cooler heads to prevail: "We have been successful before, and we believe we can be again. But it would be far more beneficial if Secretary of State Liz Kendall directly engages with us to devise a fair compensation solution, rather than forcing our hand toward litigation. The alternative could merely prolong this battle, now set to play out before the courts."
What's at stake goes beyond just financial recompense; it highlights broader themes of accountability, transparency, and social justice within government policy-making. The WASPI campaign symbolizes the struggle against systemic inequality faced by women, particularly those who have borne the brunt of policy inconsistencies across decades.
The fallout of this situation is yet to be fully realized. Will the Labour government reconsider its position and take steps toward reconciliation? Or will the WASPI campaign find itself once again battling against the chances of achieving justice? The approaching High Court action may very well shape the narrative going forward as more women join the fray, hoping for clarity and resolution.