The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has performed a dramatic U-turn, agreeing to retract its controversial decision to deny compensation to the 1950s-born women represented by the WASPI campaign.
A Decade-Long Battle Takes a New Turn
Campaigners from Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) have expressed cautious relief after the government announced it would reconsider its December 2024 ruling. That decision had outright rejected payouts for women affected by the rise in the state pension age, sparking fury among the group.
Angela Madden, WASPI campaign chair, described the move as "a step forward" but noted the group's long-standing frustration. "We were very surprised, they've fought us tooth and nail all the 10 years we have been campaigning," she stated.
The Heart of the WASPI Controversy
The dispute centres on changes to the state pension age for women, which was increased from 60 to 65, and later to 66. The core argument from the WASPI campaign is that the DWP failed to adequately inform these women of the change, with many discovering the impact on their retirement plans at the last minute.
This failure in communication was investigated by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. After a six-year investigation, the Ombudsman concluded that the DWP should have sent out letters sooner and recommended compensation payouts ranging from £1,000 to £2,950.
Legal Pressure Forces a Rethink
The government's initial refusal to act on these recommendations led WASPI to apply for a judicial review, which was scheduled for December 8 and 9. However, this legal challenge has now prompted a significant shift.
In a statement to the Commons, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden revealed that evidence from a 2004 DWP report on the effectiveness of pension forecast letters had come to light during proceedings. He stated that in the interests of "fairness and transparency", the government would now formally consider this evidence and retake the decision made last December.
While this development marks a pivotal moment in the campaign, the fight is not over. The DWP will now reassess the case, and the outcome of this fresh deliberation remains the focal point for the millions of women awaiting justice.
