‘Waspi Women’ denied state pension compensation in latest decision

This week, Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Works and Pensions made a statement in the Commons announcing that there will be no compensation for the women affected by the change in state pension age for women from 60 to 65 in 2010. The response follows the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman 2024 report regarding the way changes to the state pension age were communicated to women born in the 1950s. The report made a recommendation of compensation at ‘level 4’ on their ‘Severity of Injustice’ scale(£1,000 to £2950). Campaigners on this issue have said that women had their retirement plans plunged into chaos with many left significantly out of pocket.

Over a year ago, Ministers announced that compensation was to be denied to any of the women who were affected by the delayed communication of these changes. In November last year, prior to a high court legal challenge commencing regarding the compensation, the Government announced that it would reconsider the decision.

However, the Government has now said that after reviewing the evidence, it has come to the conclusion that none of those affected by the communication failures would get a payout. McFadden cited the ombudsman’s estimated cost of £10.3bn were a flat-rate compensation scheme to be established.

UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan said:

This decision slams the door on justice for a generation of women who lost out through no fault of their own. They’ve had years of delays and false hope, but the government’s chosen to stand by a flawed process rather than do the right thing.

Tens of thousands of women had the rug pulled from beneath them. They had little notice of key changes to their pensions and no chance to plan. Many have been forced to work longer, burn through savings or deal with poverty in retirement.

Ministers must urgently rethink this decision. By doing nothing they’re deepening the sense of betrayal and alienating women who did everything asked of them.

UNISON will continue to support and fight for Waspi women to ensure they get what’s owing to them and for what they feel is a fair deal.

Angela Madden, chair of Waspi, has indicated that the group is now taking legal advice concerning this issue, and despite the two-day high court hearing planned for December being cancelled (to allow the original decision to be reviewed), Waspi will now consider bringing a new legal case based on the latest decision.