The legal battle for compensation has begun as the WASPI campaign escalates its fight against the UK government, demanding £2,950 for women born in the 1950s who were impacted by changes to the state pension age. Despite the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s findings of injustice, the government has denied compensation, and legal action is now underway.
WASPI’s Legal Challenge: Seeking Justice for Pension Age Changes
The WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign is taking the UK government to the High Court, urging it to reconsider its stance on providing compensation for women whose state pension age was raised to 66, in line with men.
According to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), these women had suffered significant hardship due to inadequate notice and communication about the pension age changes. The Ombudsman has suggested that compensation in the range of £1,000 to £2,950 per woman may be appropriate.
However, the government has firmly rejected any compensation, stating that while it accepts the Ombudsman’s findings of maladministration, the high cost of a £10bn compensation scheme would place an excessive burden on taxpayers.
Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, has voiced her frustration, emphasising that the women involved have been left with no other option but to pursue legal action.
Government’s Defence: Rejecting the £10bn Compensation Scheme
In response to the growing legal pressure, the UK government has stated that it cannot justify a £10bn compensation scheme. A government spokesperson explained that by 2006, 90% of women born in the 1950s were aware that the state pension age was set to change.
Despite this, the government admitted that there had been delays in informing the affected women, with a 28-month delay in some cases, and only one in four women recalling receiving unexpected letters about the change.
While the government’s position remains firm on the issue of compensation, the WASPI campaign has maintained its stance, stating that the legal battle is a necessary step to secure justice for those affected.
According to Madden, the government now has an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, but failure to do so will only force the case into court.
Political Reactions: Divided Opinions Among MPs
The debate over compensation has sparked reactions from various MPs. Ten Labour MPs supported a bill introduced by the SNP, calling for the government to act on the Ombudsman’s findings.
Brian Leishman, one of the MPs backing the bill, has warned that without adequate compensation measures, the Labour Party risks losing voter support and contributing to growing political dissatisfaction. Despite the political pushback, the government remains resolute in its stance, insisting that the £10bn compensation package is unfeasible.
The outcome of this legal case will have significant implications not just for the affected women, but also for the broader political landscape, as it could influence public trust in government handling of pension matters.
