A new poll has shown a fresh wave of suppport for Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign (WASPI) after they were dealt a devastating blow. Results published by Yonder, and commissioned by the Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign (WASPI), suggest that three-quarters of adults across Great Britain believe the UK Government should reverse its decision not to compensate millions of 1950s-born women. These women were affected by increases to their State Pension age.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) final report, released on March 21, 2024, stated that “Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy” and recommended compensation equivalent to level four on its banding scale, worth between £1,000 and £2,950.
However, last month, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced there would be “no scheme of financial compensation” for those affected by changes to the official retirement age. On December 17, in a statement to MPs, Ms Kendall acknowledged maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and apologised to all women impacted by changes to their retirement age on behalf of the UK Government.
A new poll from the WASPi campaign indicates ongoing public outrage over the decision is still causing problems for ministers. Three-quarters (64%) of voters say ministers should adhere to the PHSO’s recommendations and provide “fair compensation” to WASPI women.
These findings persist despite ministerial assertions that compensating WASPI women would place an unfair burden on taxpayers. Ms Kendall clarified to MPs the substantial cost of following the PHSO’s compensation recommendation, stating: “Given the great majority of women knew that the State Pension Age was increasing, the Government does not believe paying a flat rate to all women – at a cost of up to £10.5 billion – would be a fair or proportionate use of taxpayers’ money,” reports the Daily Record.
WASPI, which represents 3.6 million women who feel inadequately informed about their State Pension age changes, argues this lack of notice has hindered their retirement planning. Notably, a significant portion of the public, 78%, feels betrayed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after he failed to keep his promise made in the pledge: “I support fair and fast compensation for 1950s women.”
Furthermore, there is a strong call from 76% of citizens for MPs to have a Parliamentary vote on the issue, shifting the power of decision-making away from ministers—a stance supported by campaigners. In Labour circles, Labour List says at least 35 MPs have openly criticised the refusal of compensation, with many more lobbying privately.
The imminent Liberal Democrat-triggered opposition vote sees Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, Brian Leishman, affirming his intention to stand with WASPI women, asserting: “I will be doing the right thing and voting for WASPI women to receive the justice they are due.
“Labour is the party of social justice and equality. After a decade of support from across the Labour movement, the WASPI women are not a political football – they are a generation of women who deserve the justice we have promised them.”
He further stated: “When that opposition vote comes, I will be doing the right thing and voting for WASPI women to receive the justice they are due and deserve.” Angela Madden, Chair of the WASPI Campaign, expressed her disappointment: “For years we campaigned with prominent Cabinet members who have now reneged on their promises and decided not to deliver justice, despite the clear findings of the Ombudsman’s report and the unwavering public support.
“Not only does this question their integrity but throws public trust in our institutions into disarray. The Parliamentary Ombudsman is there to hold the Government to account. Labour’s decision to ignore it rides roughshod over our constitutional checks and balances.
“Without a government- led proposal to compensate WASPI women, MPs need to step up and do all that’s in their power to secure proper compensation. WASPI women have rallied across the country in response to Labour’s disgraceful decision with the number of women joining our campaign growing significantly last month. On behalf of the 3.6 million women affected, we will continue to fight using all avenues available to achieve justice.”
The poll of 2,079 British adults was conducted by Yonder between January 3-5, 2025. Conservative MP Sir John Hayes has managed to secure parliamentary time for a debate on State Pension age compensation. The discussion is slated for Wednesday, January 15 at 2.30pm in Westminster Hall.
The debate can be viewed on Parliament TV here.