This marks a significant development in the long-running fight for justice by WASPI women, who argue that they were not properly informed of changes that forced them to delay retirement, resulting in financial hardship. With a full judicial review scheduled for December 9-10, 2025, the stakes remain high, as the women’s legal team continues to seek clarity on the government’s commitment to a fair reconsideration.
A Legal Setback Leads to New Hope for Compensation
The dispute stems from the 1995 Pensions Act, which gradually increased the state pension age for women to align with men’s at 65. In subsequent years, the state pension age was further raised to 66 for both men and women. The WASPI women, born in the 1950s, argue that they were not adequately informed about these changes, which led to them being caught off guard by later-than-expected pension payments.
In March 2024, an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) concluded that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had failed in its duty to communicate effectively with these women, deeming it “maladministration.” The Ombudsman recommended that compensation be awarded, with payouts of up to £2,950 per person. However, despite the recommendation, both the Conservative and Labour governments rejected the proposal.
In response, WASPI launched a legal challenge in an attempt to overturn the government’s rejection. The case, still scheduled for a full hearing in December 2025, will scrutinise the government’s failure to follow through on the Ombudsman’s findings. An unexpected development came last month, when Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden announced that the government would reconsider its stance on the compensation decision.
This reconsideration was seen as a breakthrough by the campaigners, but they have expressed concerns over the lack of clarity regarding the process and timeline. As Angela Madden, chair of WASPI, noted, “Our lawyers have been pressing the Government on these and other matters,” highlighting the urgency of establishing a firm timetable for the reconsideration.
The Implications of the Government’s Delay
The legal dispute is not only significant for the affected women but also has wider implications for the integrity of the Ombudsman system. WASPI campaigners argue that any delay or failure to compensate the women undermines trust in the accountability of government departments, especially in cases where official complaints have been upheld.
“Most importantly of all, every 13 minutes, a WASPI woman dies without seeing justice.” said Madden. Her comment underscores the human cost of ongoing delays, which have affected thousands of women, many of whom are now in their 70s or 80s.
The new hearing, scheduled for December 3, 2025, will explore the potential impact of the government’s reconsideration announcement on the ongoing legal proceedings. WASPI lawyers are pushing for guarantees that the reconsideration process will lead to a fair and timely outcome, rather than another rejection. They are seeking assurances that the government will follow through with a proper review and not simply repeat the errors of the past decision.
