WASPI campaigners (Women Against State Pension Inequality) will be visiting Parliament in a few weeks to present their case again to MPs. They are continuing in their fight to get DWP compensation, despite the Government saying at the end of last year there would be no payouts. Many individual MPs support their cause, believing their should be compensation for the 1950s-born generation of women that WASPI and other campaign groups represent.

The WASPI campaign has been going on for over a decade, and they often go to the political party conferences during September and October. But this year they have decided not to do this, but to run an alternative event in Westminster instead.

WASPI campaign chair Angela Madden said: “We thought we’d take a more direct approach and go to Parliament and see groups of MPs there. It will be like a drop-in, we will hire a room in Parliament, we will be sponsored by an MP. We will ask MPs to pop along and see us, like asking them to see us at the stand at their conferences, but it’s in their home in Parliament instead.”

What is the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) controversy about?

WASPI and other campaign groups represent the generation of women born in the 1950s who were affected by the state pension age increasing from 60 to 65, to equalise it with men. They claim the DWP did not properly advise them of the change, with many unaware they would have to wait several more years to collect their state pension.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman carried out an investigation, which concluded the DWP should have sent out letters to advise the women sooner. The watchdog suggested the women should get compensation ranging from £1,000 and £2,950.

But Labour announced at the end of 2024 that there would be no payments going out to the women. Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, told the Commons that most women did know of the change and that sending out letters sooner would have had little impact.

The Government also argued that it would be a poor use of taxpayer money to provide payouts. But the campaign has the support of many individual MPs, including some Labour members.

The WASPI campaign continues

Some political parties have also consistently supported the campaign, including the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and the SNP.

Ms Madden said that since the Government announcement, the messages they have received from MPs have been mixed. She said: “We’ve heard from some MPs that they support us.

“We’ve heard from some Labour MPs spouting the Government’s line, but there are many who support us. We’ll just carry on working on that, because ultimately it will be Parliament that decides what happens to the WASPI women.

“We’re hoping that MPs will have the chance to have their say, rather than just following the Government’s dogma.” When the Ombudsman published its findings arguing that there should be compensation, it recommended that Parliament take up the matter.

Another ray of hope for the WASPI campaign is their ongoing judicial review of the Government’s decision. The case will come before the high court in December.

If the court decides in WASPI’s favour, this will only rule out the Government’s decision and does not guarantee compensation for the women.