UK Government to Reconsider Denial of Pension Payouts to 'Waspi' Women
Millions of women born in the 1950s have been given fresh hope that they will receive long-overdue pension payouts after the UK government announced it would revisit its decision to deny them compensation. The move comes just weeks before a potentially high-stakes legal challenge is set to begin, with campaigners celebrating what they see as a major shift in policy.
The 'Waspi' (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign was launched in 2015 by women who were affected by government failings when changes to the state pension age were made. The campaign has argued that many of these women suffered financially and had their retirement plans "plunged into chaos" as a result of the increased age.
The issue first came to light last year, when an official report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had acted maladministratively in handling the changes. The PHSO recommended that compensation be paid to those affected, with estimates suggesting it would cost between £3.5 billion and £10.5 billion.
However, just weeks ago, ministers sparked an outcry by announcing they would deny compensation to any of the 3.6 million women born in this period who were affected. Chancellor Rachel Reeves suggested that improving public services was a higher priority than spending on payouts.
In a U-turn announced last week, senior government officials revealed that new evidence had come to light which had not been shown to the previous work and pensions secretary when she made the decision. While it is unclear whether this new information will change the government's decision, campaigners are hailing it as a major step forward.
Campaigners claim that many of these women were left with significant financial losses after the state pension age was increased from 60 to 65, and then to 66. They argue that the government had not communicated effectively about these changes, leading to widespread disruption and hardship.
The issue is set to be heard in court next month, with a two-day high court hearing scheduled for December 9th. While it is unclear if this challenge will still go ahead, campaigners say they are seeking legal advice on the implications of the government's decision.
For decades, women have been entitled to state pensions at age 60, but changes made between 2010 and 2020 led to a phased increase in the pension age for women. The Coalition Government accelerated this process in 2011, with the state pension age for women rising to 65 by November 2018 and then to 66 by October 2020.
The news has sent shockwaves through the campaigning community, with many welcoming the decision to revisit the issue. "Today's announcement is a major step forward," said Angela Madden, chair of Waspi. "We are seeking legal advice as to what this means for our judicial review."
While it remains to be seen whether the government will ultimately decide to award financial redress to those affected, campaigners say that the new evidence and decision by senior officials offer a glimmer of hope in a long-standing dispute.
Millions of women born in the 1950s have been given fresh hope that they will receive long-overdue pension payouts after the UK government announced it would revisit its decision to deny them compensation. The move comes just weeks before a potentially high-stakes legal challenge is set to begin, with campaigners celebrating what they see as a major shift in policy.
The 'Waspi' (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign was launched in 2015 by women who were affected by government failings when changes to the state pension age were made. The campaign has argued that many of these women suffered financially and had their retirement plans "plunged into chaos" as a result of the increased age.
The issue first came to light last year, when an official report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had acted maladministratively in handling the changes. The PHSO recommended that compensation be paid to those affected, with estimates suggesting it would cost between £3.5 billion and £10.5 billion.
However, just weeks ago, ministers sparked an outcry by announcing they would deny compensation to any of the 3.6 million women born in this period who were affected. Chancellor Rachel Reeves suggested that improving public services was a higher priority than spending on payouts.
In a U-turn announced last week, senior government officials revealed that new evidence had come to light which had not been shown to the previous work and pensions secretary when she made the decision. While it is unclear whether this new information will change the government's decision, campaigners are hailing it as a major step forward.
Campaigners claim that many of these women were left with significant financial losses after the state pension age was increased from 60 to 65, and then to 66. They argue that the government had not communicated effectively about these changes, leading to widespread disruption and hardship.
The issue is set to be heard in court next month, with a two-day high court hearing scheduled for December 9th. While it is unclear if this challenge will still go ahead, campaigners say they are seeking legal advice on the implications of the government's decision.
For decades, women have been entitled to state pensions at age 60, but changes made between 2010 and 2020 led to a phased increase in the pension age for women. The Coalition Government accelerated this process in 2011, with the state pension age for women rising to 65 by November 2018 and then to 66 by October 2020.
The news has sent shockwaves through the campaigning community, with many welcoming the decision to revisit the issue. "Today's announcement is a major step forward," said Angela Madden, chair of Waspi. "We are seeking legal advice as to what this means for our judicial review."
While it remains to be seen whether the government will ultimately decide to award financial redress to those affected, campaigners say that the new evidence and decision by senior officials offer a glimmer of hope in a long-standing dispute.
. It's about time someone listened to them, especially with that new evidence that's come to light. I think it's high time we acknowledge the government's mistake and provide those 3.6 million women with the compensation they're owed.
. Whatever happens next, it's about time we recognized the impact of our policies on vulnerable groups like this.
. If they're gonna change their mind just b4 a court case, what's to stop them from doin' it again? Like, 3-10 billion quid is no joke, and all these women have been sufferin for years... it's time they take responsibility for their mistakes 
finally some good vibes for those 'waspi' women who've been fighting for years 
they deserve it, tbh 
the gov's u-turn is a major step forward, even if it's not a full payout yet 
let's keep pushing for justice and equality for all 
And it's not like the government had no idea what was coming down the pipe... Still, at least they're acknowledging that their original decision was a bit dodgy 
. It's been ages since this issue came up, and I think it's high time we got some answers. The fact that new evidence has come to light is pretty interesting – I wonder if this will be the game-changer that finally gets them the compensation they deserve.
. I'm glad that Angela Madden and the Waspi campaign are pushing for justice – they deserve it! I just hope that this isn't all part of some bigger PR stunt, but rather a genuine attempt to make things right.
. There are bound to be some complexities here, and I worry that the gov might try to find ways to wriggle out of it. But hey, let's keep our fingers crossed!
This is literally AMAZING news! 
The UK gov has finally decided to reconsider their super unfair decision on 'Waspi' women 
. I'm so hyped that the government is going back on their stance & considering a payout 
. This could be a game-changer for all the women affected by this policy 
. Fingers crossed it happens & these women finally get the recognition they deserve 
they were screwed over when they changed the state pension age from 60 to 65 and then 66, and now it looks like they might finally get some justice 
anyway, glad the 'waspi' ppl are fighting for their rights 
.
. But hey, at least we're finally getting some transparency now.