Latest news with #AngelaMadden
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
WASPI women announce new update in challenge for State Pension age change compensation
The WASPI campaign says they have been given a green light for High Court challenge. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign group say they have cleared a significant hurdle in their battle for a High Court challenge. WASPI is seeking a judicial review to force the UK 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. The campaigners announced on Friday they have received an update to say that their case is arguable, setting them on course for a court hearing. A previous report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) suggested compensation ranging between £1,000 and £2,950 could be appropriate for each of those affected. However, in December 2024, the UK 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. WASPI campaigners submitted arguments back in February for a legal case challenging the decision not to compensate women. Lawyers for the campaigners argue that the UK Government's reasons for concluding that people should not receive any remedy are a breach of legal principles. WASPI said it also expects a hearing to consider its application for a costs capping order, so that campaigners would not be forced to pay unknown costs to cover the legal fees should they lose. However, the group said that it may be forced to withdraw its challenge without this financial safeguard. It is also calling on supporters to help raise further funds for the legal challenge. WASPI chairwoman Angela Madden described the green light in its legal challenge as a 'landmark moment in our campaign'. She said: 'We are grateful for the funds raised so far and understand the country's purse strings are tight, but the Government cannot be allowed to brush this injustice aside.' Earlier this week, WASPI launched a new interactive tool which shows the UK-wide state of play of MP support for a compensation scheme for an estimated 3.6 million women affected by changes to their retirement age. The new analysis shows 179 MPs have publicly blasted the UK Government's decision not to compensate WASPI women in recent months. WASPI said that of these, 56 Labour MPs have openly criticised Downing Street's failure to deliver justice, while dozens more are thought to be supportive behind the scenes, including several senior ministers. The map shows how smaller parties are almost unanimous in their support, with a strong coalition of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs backing calls to compensate WASPI women. The smaller parties are almost unanimous in their support, with a strong coalition of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs backing calls to compensate WASPI women. Around a dozen Conservative MPs have also recently reaffirmed their support for compensation. The findings come at the launch of WASPI's new website, which has new resources to enable supporters to write to their MP and join the campaign for as little as £15 per year. Some of the strongest advocates for WASPI women include members of the State Pension Inequality for Women APPG, chaired by Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey. The cross-party group of MPs is one of the largest in Parliament and includes representatives from across the major political parties who have vowed to continue the fight for justice. However, WASPI campaigners say 134 MPs previously backed calls for compensation but have failed to reaffirm their support since the Labour Government's announcement in December. The figures do not include serving government ministers or whips, at least 80 of whom have previously pledged their support for the campaign. All MPs' positions on compensation can be found on WASPI's interactive 'state of the nation' map, alongside new campaign resources, here.
The National
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
'Landmark' reached in Waspi campaign for legal challenge to Government
WASPI campaigners say they have cleared a hurdle in their battle for a High Court challenge. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group 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. The campaigners said they have received an update to say that their case is arguable, setting them on course for a court hearing. READ MORE: SNP activists reveal HQ silenced Reform strategy warnings 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. Waspi campaigners submitted arguments back in February for a legal case challenging the decision not to compensate women. (Image: PA) Lawyers for the campaigners argue that the Government's reasons for concluding that people should not receive any remedy are a breach of legal principles. Waspi said it also expects a hearing to consider its application for a costs capping order, so that campaigners would not be forced to pay unknown costs to cover the legal fees should they lose. READ MORE: John Swinney defends 'two-horse race' comments after by-election loss to Labour The group said that it may be forced to withdraw its challenge without this financial safeguard. It is also calling on supporters to help raise further funds for the legal challenge. Waspi chairwoman Angela Madden described the green light in its legal challenge as a 'landmark moment in our campaign'. She said: 'We are grateful for the funds raised so far and understand the country's purse strings are tight, but the Government cannot be allowed to brush this injustice aside.'
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Major WASPI update as campaign poised for High Court showdown with government
WASPI campaigners say they are on course for a High Court showdown with the Government over the decision not to pay compensation to millions of women WASPI campaign leaders say they are on target for a High Court showdown with the Government after clearing a major hurdle. The group is seeking a judicial review after ministers rejected giving payouts of up to £2,950 to over three million women. This was despite a Parliamentary watchdog calling on ministers to urgently set up a compensation scheme last year. Failures at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) meant many were not properly informed the state pension age had gone up - so they could not plan for retirement. Campaigners say they have been told case is arguable, setting them on course for a court hearing. Angela Madden, who chairs the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, said: 'This is a landmark moment in our campaign that shows the DWP what we all already know - that the Government's decision was formed on baseless claims that will fail to stand up under scrutiny." Judges told WASPI leaders their claim 'ought to be considered at a final hearing', the group said. A No10 spokesman said: "Our position has not changed." Mrs Madden accused the DWP of trying to avoid "humiliation" by refusing a Cost Capping Order - which could force campaigners to pay an unlimited settlement if they lose. A hearing to consider an application for such an order will also take place, WASPI said. Without this safeguard, it said, it may be forced to withdraw its case. Mrs Madden said: 'This is a government department which is in complete denial of its mistakes. However, the ombudsman already says they have got things wrong, and now the courts could be about to make a similar decision." Last year a 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. This could cost taxpayers up to £10.5billion, a sum Keir Starmer said is not justified. The Government has accepted there was maladministration and apologised - but in December last year said a blanket compensation scheme could not be justified. Between April 2010 and November 2018 the State Pension age for women gradually increased from 60 to 65. It went up again to 66 in October 2020, and is due to go up to 67 by 2028. Lawyers for the campaigners argue that the Government's reasons for concluding that people should not receive any remedy are a breach of legal principles. The PM was told in March that he set a "dangerous precedent" by ignoring the watchdog's recommendation. The leaders of Unison, GMB, the Communication Workers Union, Transport Salaried Staffs' Association and the Fire Brigades Union, said the decision will make many question the point of an Ombudsman. They wrote: "By disregarding its report, the Government has established a dangerous precedent that suggests official checks and balances on ministers can be ignored, eroding public trust in our democratic institutions." And they said members and the wider public are "unequivocal" that payouts should be awarded. Announcing there would be no compensation last year, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told MPs: "Given the vast majority of women knew the state pension age was increasing, the Government does not believe paying a flat rate to all women, at a cost of up to £10.5 billion, would be a fair or proportionate use of taxpayers money."
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
New WASPI online map shows position of every MP on State Pension age change compensation
New research from the WASPI campaign finds 134 MPs who previously backed compensation, no longer do so. A new interactive tool launched by the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign shows the UK-wide state of play of MP support for a compensation scheme for millions of women affected by changes to their retirement age. The new analysis shows 179 MPs have publicly blasted the UK Government's decision not to compensate WASPI women in recent months. WASPI said that of these, 56 Labour MPs have openly criticised Downing Street's failure to deliver justice, while dozens more are thought to be supportive behind the scenes, including several senior ministers. The map shows how smaller parties are almost unanimous in their support, with a strong coalition of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs backing calls to compensate WASPI women. The smaller parties are almost unanimous in their support, with a strong coalition of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs backing calls to compensate WASPI women. Around a dozen Conservative MPs have also recently reaffirmed their support for compensation. The findings come at the launch of WASPI's new website, which has new resources to enable supporters to write to their MP and join the campaign for as little as £15 per year. Some of the strongest advocates for WASPI women include members of the State Pension Inequality for Women APPG, chaired by Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey. The cross-party group of MPs is one of the largest in Parliament and includes representatives from across the major political parties who have vowed to continue the fight for justice. However, WASPI campaigners say 134 MPs previously backed calls for compensation but have failed to reaffirm their support since the Labour Government's announcement in December. The figures do not include serving government ministers or whips, at least 80 of whom have previously pledged their support for the campaign. Angela Madden, Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), said: 'The Government's refusal to compensate WASPI women, despite admitting wrongdoing, is a national scandal. 'We know hundreds of principled MPs are still resolute in their support for those affected and firmly disagree with the decision taken by the Labour leadership. 'While some appear to have given up on us, abandoning the vulnerable women they once promised to fight for, it is clear that a majority of MPs know deep down that compensating WASPI women is the right thing to do.' With a High Court challenge into the UK Government's decision under consideration and a key vote on proposed disability benefit cuts due this month, it is thought more Labour MPs could soon speak out. In December, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall stunned MPs when she apologised for the failures made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), but stopped short of announcing plans for a compensation scheme. Campaigners say the failure of the Labour and Conservative leadership to back WASPI compensation has boosted support for the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK, as well as the Greens in urban areas, south of the border. It is thought both Plaid Cymru and the SNP could benefit from their strong support for WASPI women at next year's elections in Cardiff and Holyrood. All MPs' positions on compensation can be found on WASPI's interactive 'state of the nation' map, alongside new campaign resources, here.
The National
24-04-2025
- The National
Martin Lewis issues compensation scam warning to Waspi women
Fraudulent websites are claiming that compensation is available, Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaigners said. Bogus websites may request personal details from 1950s-born women, make the false claim that a compensation scheme has been announced, or even try to give the impression that they are connected with Lewis. Waspi said that one woman in Derbyshire reported that she had been asked to provide copies of her birth certificate and bank details through an online form, before realising it was a scam. READ MORE: UK ministers to meet devolved governments over impact of Supreme Court sex ruling Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, said: 'The word scammers underplays the danger, of what are often organised criminal gangs using psychologically adept tactics to steal from people.' He added: 'Even if they're not asking for money, they could be trying to take your information as part of a wider fraud. 'Be incredibly careful, don't click advertising or other links on social media, unless it is from a validated trusted source. 'And to be very plain, I don't do adverts nor allow anyone to use my name for endorsements. All my information will always be on my site so if you can't find it there, and see it elsewhere, it's very likely a scam.' Waspi chairwoman Angela Madden said: 'Waspi has fielded dozens of queries from women following an alarming spike in fraudulent websites appearing in recent days. 'The need for compensation is so urgent that it is the most vulnerable women who are at risk from scammers. The behaviour of opportunists who seek to exploit them is nothing short of disgraceful.' She suggested that people contact Action Fraud if they have shared sensitive information or feel they are at risk. Those who are worried they may have been scammed should also contact their bank or building society. Many banks have signed up to the 159 service, which enables people who are worried about scams to get through to their provider on an easy-to-remember number. READ MORE: Ed Miliband: Zonal energy pricing won't proceed if it raises bills in parts of the UK Fran McSweeney, head of services at Independent Age, said: 'While scams can be very sophisticated, there are things people can do to protect themselves. 'Never be rushed into sharing personal details out of the blue and contact your bank if you think you've been tricked into revealing any of your banking details. If what you're told sounds unlikely or too good to be true, it probably is.' 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.
