Time's Ticking: WASPI Women Demand Pension Justice by March 2025
The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign has introduced a new online petition, calling on the UK Government to adequately compensate women born in the 1950s who have been impacted by the changes to their State Pension age. The petition also demands a swift response from the government to the recommendations outlined in the final report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) by March 21, 2025.
This date signifies one year since the Ombudsman published the findings of its extensive six-year investigation into complaints against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The report determined that women born in the 1950s should have been given at least 28 months' more individual notice from the DWP regarding the changes to their State Pension age.
The PHSO further noted that women who were unaware of these changes missed the opportunity to adjust their retirement plans due to the delay. The report urged that Parliament must promptly identify a mechanism for providing the appropriate remedy and suggested compensation equivalent to Level four on its banding scale, ranging from £1,000 to £2,950.
Despite ongoing appeals from various campaign groups and members of the House, there has been no advancement on a compensation scheme.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kensall have both suggested that an update on the compensation proposal for WASPI women will be announced soon or in the near future, yet no specific dates have been confirmed. The e-petition, which has amassed thousands of signatures since its launch on the official UK Government website by WASPI campaign director Jane Cowley last Thursday evening, demands action, as reported by the Daily Record.
The petition titled 'Establish a compensation scheme for WASPI women' states: We urge the Government to adequately compensate WASPI women affected by the increases to their State Pension age and the associated failings in DWP communications.
It further insists: We want the Government to promptly respond to the PHSO report and establish a compensation scheme by 21 March 2025.
Ms Cowley elaborated: In March 2024, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman stated that women born in the 1950s were owed financial redress and an apology due to DWP maladministration.
She added that the Ombudsman's conclusions had backing from the cross-party Work and Pensions Select Committee, numerous MPs, and according to polls, 68 per cent of the public. However, she emphasised that only the Government can rectify this injustice.
The petition concludes with a stark reminder of the urgency, stating: We have calculated that with one affected woman dying every 13 minutes, there is no time for further delay.
Once the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, it warrants a written response from the UK Government. If it achieves 100,000 signatures, the Pensions Committee will consider it for debate in Parliament.
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