Millions of British women are demanding compensation of up to £2,950 over failures in communicating changes to the state pension age, placing renewed pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to address a dispute that has lasted for years.
Ombudsman Findings Put Pension Compensation Back in Focus
The renewed demands follow a 2024 report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), which recommended compensation ranging from £1,000 to £2,950 for women affected by government communication failures.
According to Birmingham Live, approximately three million women are represented by the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, which is pressing the government to establish a compensation arrangement.
The dispute concerns changes that raised the state pension age for women from 60 to 65 and subsequently to 66. Campaigners argue that inadequate notice prevented many women born in the 1950s from adjusting their retirement plans.
Some women reportedly received only 12 months’ notice that their pension eligibility would be delayed by six years. Campaigners say the resulting financial disruption left many thousands of pounds worse off.
© Shutterstock
WASPI Campaigners Demand Action From Andy Burnham
WASPI chair Angela Madden said Burnham had previously agreed to discuss compensation with campaign representatives during the Makerfield by-election.
“Andy met us during the Makerfield by-election and committed to sitting down with WASPI to discuss fair redress. We are confident he will make good on this commitment,” Madden said.
She also emphasized the political support behind the campaign:
“Hundreds of MPs are backing the campaign for compensation and the public clearly want to see this resolved too. WASPI has always said we are ready to work pragmatically with the Government on a solution that is fair to WASPI women and the taxpayer. We now need the Prime Minister to sit down with us and turn those words into action.”
Despite the ombudsman’s recommendation, no compensation payments have been confirmed in the information reported.
Labour and Liberal Democrats Call for a Compensation Plan
The campaign has attracted support from politicians across party lines, including Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey.
“WASPI women have waited for far too long for justice, and this issue is not going away.
“With politicians from all corners of the political spectrum coming together on this issue, the message is clear: 1950s-born women deserve a fair outcome.
“The Prime Minister has stood with these women for many years. His commitment to meet campaigners is very welcome and I hope it marks the beginning of a route towards the redress they deserve.”
Steve Darling, the Liberal Democrats’ Work and Pensions spokesperson, also called for a government response.
“For too long, successive governments have denied these women the justice the Parliamentary Ombudsman concluded they are due.
“The Prime Minister’s commitment to sit down with campaigners to discuss redress is a welcome step, but warm words are not enough.
“He must now set out plans for compensation this autumn and finally bring this long-running injustice to an end.”
What Happens Next for Women Seeking £2,950?
Campaigners are seeking a formal compensation plan, but the £2,950 figure represents the upper end of the ombudsman’s recommended range, not a guaranteed payment to every affected woman.
The campaign also cites nearly four million women born in the 1950s whose retirement planning was disrupted, a broader figure than the approximately three million women identified with the WASPI campaign.
The immediate demand is for the government to meet campaign representatives and establish a timetable for addressing the ombudsman’s findings.
Darling has specifically called for compensation proposals during autumn 2026, while WASPI continues to seek payments ranging from £1,000 to £2,950.
