Campaigners battling for compensation for historic ‘injustice’ over changes to pension ages have hailed a major breakthrough. The Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) group has said that a key court ruling has meant the process has taken a key step forward.
Waspi is seeking a judicial review to force the Government to reconsider its decision to rule out a compensation package for women affected by the way changes to the state pension age were communicated.
A previous report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PSHO) suggested compensation ranging between £1,000 and £2,950 could be appropriate for each of those affected. But in December 2024, the Government said that, while it accepted the ombudsman’s finding of maladministration and apologised for there being a delay in writing to 1950s-born women, a blanket compensation scheme, which could cost taxpayers up to £10.5 billion, cannot be justified.
In a new update Waspi said: “We have some excellent news. Today the Court confirmed that a High Court Judge has granted permission for our case to proceed to a full judicial review hearing. The Judge determined that, as we have always known, our case is arguable and “ought to be considered at a final hearing”.
“This important milestone in the case shows that we were right to press ahead with our judicial review challenge. We look forward now to presenting our case at a full hearing in the High Court.”
The group said another key ruling was due ‘in weeks’ which could determine if the legal bid could even go ahead. Waspi has made an application for a Cost Capping Order. It explained: “As we have previously explained, a cost capping order is absolutely vital for our case, as it means the costs the Government can recover from us will be limited if we do not succeed at the final hearing. The outcome of this interim hearing will be critical to whether we can take our claim all the way without the risk of paying unlimited and unknown costs to the Government if we don’t win. We will keep you updated about that interim hearing and share with you any documents we can in due course.
“Now that we have crossed this important hurdle, we need to raise further funds to cover the costs of the next stage in the case. As you know, we set our stretch target to £230,000 back in April and we are some way off meeting that target. We appreciate that you have all donated generously to date and if you are willing to do so, we would be very grateful for any further donations you, your friends, relatives and colleagues could make towards our fighting fund.”
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Earlier this year a debate took place in parliament sparked by a 160,000-signature petition calling for the Government to “fairly compensate” Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaigners.
A report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) recommended the UK Government pay compensation to women born in the 1950s whose state pension age was raised so it would be equal with men.
The watchdog also said the women should be paid up to £2,950 each, a package with a potential total cost of £10.5 billion to the public purse, as poor communication meant they had lost out on the chance to plan their retirement finances. But the Government last December ruled out a compensation package despite Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves being among the senior ministers to support the Waspi campaign when Labour was in opposition.
Labour MPs who spoke in the Westminster Hall debate criticised the previous Tory administration for not acting on the report, before maintaining their continued support for the campaigners.
Labour MP Patricia Ferguson, who said she is one of more than 4,000 Waspi women in her Glasgow West constituency, said she had hoped and expected the ombudsman’s findings would be implemented by parliamentarians.
She said: “I cannot say how disappointed I am that it did not happen. But I say gently to the minister that it is not too late to put it right.”
Michelle Scrogham, Labour MP for Barrow and Furness, said: “There is still time to deliver a fair and equitable compensation package for these women. This is the time to right this wrong.”
Waspi chairwoman Angela Madden said: “We do not want to be taking legal action, but we have been forced to due to the Government’s total denial of justice.” Lawyers for the campaigners say the Government’s reasons for concluding that people should not receive any remedy are a breach of legal principles.
A DWP spokesperson said: “We do not comment on live litigation. We have apologised for there being a 28-month delay in writing to 1950s-born women.
“However, we do not agree with the Ombudsman’s approach to injustice or remedy and that is why we have decided not to pay compensation.”
