A new poll for the Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign (WASPI) has found that a substantial majority of Brits feel the Government should backtrack on its position and compensate millions of women born in the 1950s who were hit by changes to the State Pension age.
Following a final report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), which stated, “Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy” and hinted at payouts ranging from £1,000 to £2,950, expectations among pension-age women were high.
However, just last month, DWP Secretary Liz Kendall announced there would be “no scheme of financial compensation” for those impacted by the rise in the State Pension age. In a statement to Parliament in December, Kendall admitted historic DWP blunders and expressed regret on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government to all women affected by the changes, but stopped short of offering any compensation.
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Despite the government suggesting that compensating WASPI women would impose an unfair burden on taxpayers, the latest survey highlights public discontent, with a resounding 64% of respondents calling for ministers to listen to the PHSO and provide “fair compensation” for the WASPI women.
The last Conservative government did not offer any compensation when it was faced with the recommendations of the ombudsman
(Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
Ms Kendall highlighted that after the PHSO suggested a compensation scheme, taxpayers might face costs ranging from £3.5 billion to an eye-watering £10.5 billion. Speaking to her fellow MPs, she warned: “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.”
WASPI campaigners are fighting for justice for nearly 3.6 million women who claim they were left in the dark about the State Pension age hikes, derailing their retirement plans and failing to provide enough time to seek alternatives, reports the Daily Record.
Presently, a staggering 78% accuse Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of backtracking on his word when he once said: “I support fair and fast compensation for 1950s women.”
A whopping three-quarters (76%) of the public demand that all MPs should cast a vote in Parliament over the issue, circumventing ministers. Labour List reveals that no fewer than 35 Labour MPs have publicly contested the decision to withhold compensations, with more purportedly urging ministers behind closed doors.
WASPI women have not given up their cause
(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Amidst an anticipated challenge from Lib Dems, Brian Leishman, Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth said: “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 added: “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, didn’t hide her frustration: “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.”
She added: “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 survey of 2,079 British adults was performed by Yonder from January 3 to 5, 2025.
Conservative MP Sir John Hayes has managed to secure a slot for a debate on State Pension age compensation. The discussion is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, at 2.30pm in Westminster Hall.