The WASPI campaign has issued a stark warning to the Labour Party, claiming that more than 300 of its MPs could be unseated over the state pension age scandal. Anger mounts after Labour ruled out compensation for women affected by changes to pension eligibility, despite an ombudsman recommendation.
Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) has renewed pressure on political leaders after a government refusal to pay compensation for alleged state pension miscommunication.
The campaign group argues that thousands of women born in the 1950s suffered financial and emotional hardship following abrupt changes to their retirement age.
The row follows a report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) in 2023, which found that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) committed maladministration by failing to properly inform affected women about the pension age increase.
While the ombudsman recommended payments of up to £2,950, campaigners insist the figure should be far higher—up to £31,300 in some cases.
Campaigners Accuse Labour of Betrayal After Ombudsman Findings
The campaign’s leadership has directed its frustration at the Labour Party, which previously pledged to address what it described as a “historic wrong.”
That commitment appears to have been abandoned after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer ruled out compensation in December 2023, arguing that “90 per cent of women were aware of the changes” and that the UK could not afford such a settlement.
In response, Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, issued a sharp rebuke. “The local election results make grim reading for both the Labour and Conservative parties and show the political cost of failing to deliver on your promises,” she said, according to Birmingham Live.
Madden warned that up to 150 Labour MPs could lose their seats if the party fails to address the issue ahead of the next general election.
The DWP, while accepting the ombudsman’s finding of maladministration and issuing an apology for a 28-month delay in communication, rejected the proposed remedy. A department spokesperson stated: “We do not agree with the Ombudsman’s approach to injustice or remedy and that is why we have decided not to pay compensation.”
Misinformation Fuels Anxiety as Fake Sites Exploit Vulnerable Women
Further complicating matters, the WASPI campaign has raised concerns about fraudulent websites exploiting the situation. These sites falsely claim a government compensation scheme has been launched and request personal information under the pretext of processing claims.
The misleading content appears in online search results and email links, with some directly targeting women by referencing the campaign’s name. WASPI has urged women to remain vigilant and avoid sharing sensitive data with unofficial platforms.
The ongoing uncertainty has left thousands in limbo, intensifying demands for political accountability. With a general election on the horizon, the campaign has vowed to continue its fight for justice, warning of electoral repercussions for parties that fail to act.
