The government has once again ruled out compensation for millions of 'Waspi women' affected by changes to the state pension age, dashing hopes of a payout. The decision affects up to 3.6 million women born in the 1950s who argue they lost out due to government failings in how the pension age was increased.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden announced the government would not provide compensation, citing a potential cost of up to £10.3 billion for a flat-rate scheme. He argued that most women were aware of the changes and that a targeted scheme identifying only those who suffered injustice would not be practical.
The Waspi campaign, launched in 2015, has long argued that women born in the 1950s had their retirement plans disrupted after the state pension age was raised from 60 to 65 and then to 66. Many say they relied on receiving their pension at 60 and faced financial hardship.
Angela Madden, chair of Waspi, condemned the decision as a 'disgraceful political choice' and said the group would pursue legal action. 'We stand ready to pursue every avenue in parliament and in the courts to secure the justice that has been so shamefully denied,' she said.
The ruling follows a previous denial of compensation in December 2024, despite a Parliamentary Ombudsman ruling in March 2024 that compensation was warranted. A high court hearing scheduled for December was postponed to allow a review, which has now concluded with the same outcome.
