More than 50 Labour MPs met with campaigners this week over the government’s refusal to pay compensation to women affected by the increase in the state pension age.
Representatives of WASPI – Women Against State Pension Inequality – received support from around 100 MPs from multiple parties ahead of a legal challenge set to be heard in December.
A damning report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) published in March last year said the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) should pay compensation to affected women born in the 1950s. It stated that the department was guilty of “maladministration” as it had failed to ensure that women affected by the state pension age increase were aware of the changes.
Complainants have argued that the DWP did not communicate the changes sufficiently or give women enough time to make changes to their financial plans.
Late last year, Liz Kendall, then the work and pensions secretary, told parliament that the government had decided not to pay any compensation, citing a lack of funds and insufficient resources within the DWP to handle a compensation scheme.
However, MPs have continued to push the government to change its mind on the issue. The Scottish National Party’s Stephen Flynn proposed a bill in January aimed at forcing the government to set out compensation plans, while the Work and Pensions Committee’s chair Debbie Abrahams wrote to Kendall in March over the issue.
‘Last chance saloon’ as WASPI’s day in court looms
On 9 and 10 December, the WASPI campaign group is due to present its case to a High Court judge, challenging the government’s decision to reject the PHSO’s compensation recommendations.
This week, MPs from seven parties, as well as several independents, attended an event in support of the WASPI campaign and called for the government to reconsider.
“An injustice is an injustice. It must be put right. The 1950s women will never give up, so neither will I.”
Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labour MP
WASPI chair Angela Madden said many Labour MPs were “absolutely furious” with the decision not to compensate, adding that it was costing the government votes.
She added: “WASPI stands ready for constructive dialogue with ministers – the ball is now in the DWP’s court. It really is the last chance saloon for the government, before they risk being forced to defend the indefensible in court within a matter of weeks.”
Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labour MP for Salford, said: “An injustice is an injustice. It must be put right. The 1950s women will never give up, so neither will I.”
Long-Bailey is co-chair of the State Pension Inequality for Women All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), along with Lord Bryn Davies. Lord Davies called for the government to “make a serious response to the legitimate complaints of 1950s women”.
Liz Jarvis, Liberal Democrat MP and vice-chair of the APPG, added: “I urge the government to take action now, to listen to the voices of thousands of women up and down the country who deserve better, and meet with WASPI as soon as possible.”
