Despite Labour's rejection of compensation, MPs continue to press for a reassessment of the state pension age increase affecting women born in the 1950s. An upcoming hearing with the Work and Pensions Committee offers a platform for WASPI campaigners to present their case.
A glimmer of hope has emerged for the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign after an MP demanded a fresh assessment of the issue. Numerous MPs individually champion the cause for compensation for women born in the 1950s who were significantly impacted when their state pension age was unexpectedly raised from 60 to 65 and then 66. Some have even proposed payouts exceeding £10,000.
A crucial report published in March 2024 by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman suggested these women should receive compensation ranging from £1,000 to £2,950. The group had previously determined that the DWP's communication regarding the change to these women constituted 'maladministration'. Many of these women were caught off guard by the change, their retirement plans shattered upon discovering they would have to wait an additional five or six years to claim their state pension. Despite this, Labour announced last month that there would be no compensation scheme, arguing that most WASPI generation women were aware of the change and that the cost to the taxpayer was unjustifiable. However, the tide may be turning. Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling posed a parliamentary question inquiring if the Government would consider the case presented in the Ombudsman's report last month to 'make an assessment of the potential impact of maladministration around communications of state pension age changes'. A response was issued by Torsten Bell, who was recently appointed as a parliamentary under-secretary for the DWP this week (January 14). He commented: 'The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.'Despite the Government's stance against compensation, MPs are actively discussing the WASPI issue, with a debate scheduled for today (January 15) in Westminster Hall. Following the announcement of no payouts, MPs initiated two separate early day motions, both advocating for the reversal of the decision. Several political parties, including the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and the SNP, have consistently supported compensating WASPI women. Additionally, this month, WASPI campaigners will have the opportunity to present their arguments directly to policymakers during a hearing with the Work and Pensions Committee on January 22. Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, stated: 'That will be an opportunity for us to talk to the committee about what are our options now, what we would like to happen now. The select committee is part of the Government process. 'They are the people who hold the Department of Work and Pensions to account. A letter from them or a request from them has to be taken seriously by the department.' The state pension age currently stands at 66 for both men and women, but it is expected to rise gradually between 2026 and 2028. People planning for their retirement may want to note that the state pension age is scheduled to rise from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. There have been reports that MPs could accelerate this change. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently stated: 'There is a statutory requirement to review the state pension age set out in the Pension Act 2014 and in line with legislation, the next review must be completed by the end of March 2029.
WASPI State Pension Compensation Parliamentary Ombudsman DWP Liberal Democrats Labour Party
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Northampton Waspi campaigners brand pension decision a 'disgrace'Jill Robertson, a Waspi campaign coordinator, is 'devastated' by the government's decision not to pay compensation.
Read more »
Waspi Campaigners Threaten Legal Action After Government Rejects CompensationWaspi campaigners are considering legal action after the government rejected a recommendation for compensation for women affected by changes to pension ages.
Read more »
WASPI Campaigners Demand Fair Compensation for State Pension ChangesA petition calling for fair compensation for women affected by changes to their state pension age has been submitted to the UK Parliament. Despite the government's refusal to implement a redress scheme, the petition, backed by the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, continues to gain traction.
Read more »
WASPI Campaigners Demand Compensation for State Pension Age ChangesDespite the UK Government's refusal to implement a redress scheme, nearly 150,000 people have signed a petition calling for fair compensation for women affected by changes to their State Pension age. The petition, initiated by the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, awaits a debate date in Parliament after 33 days. While acknowledging maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall stated there would be no financial compensation for the estimated 3.5 million women impacted. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) recommended compensation worth £1,000 to £2,950, but the Government maintains its stance.
Read more »
WASPI Campaigners Appeal to New Work and Pensions Committee for CompensationWASPI campaigners will present their case for compensation to the Work and Pensions Committee after the Labour Government rejected their calls.
Read more »
Renfrewshire WASPI women say they have been 'betrayed'Failure to pay compensation to WASPI women has been branded “an absolute betrayal” by Renfrewshire campaigners.
Read more »