Latest news with #WASPI
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
WASPI MP sets out next steps after debate in Parliament
The WASPI campaigners recently launched a legal bid in their fight for compensation An MP backing the WASPI campaign (Women Against State Pension Inequality) is fighting for more discussion of the matter in Parliament. Labour member Rebecca Long Bailey said she and other MPs supporting the movement will continue to raise the issue, after she last week led a debate on the question in the Commons. She and other MPs stood up to urge the Government to reverse its decision not to grant compensation for the 1950s-born women and to finally come up with a scheme to deliver compensation. Reflecting on the debate, Ms Long Bailey said: "I thought the debate was powerful and deeply moving. "It was a chance for Parliament to speak with one voice and stand up for the thousands of 1950s-born women who have fought so long and so hard for justice." Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary spoke during the debate - his party has long supported compensation. He said: "This Government made a cynical calculation that these women can be ignored and that they would not fight back and would not keep pushing. "But they underestimate the strength and determination of women across this country, including in my constituency, who have stood up and demanded fairness. This decision cannot and must not stand." 'A remedy must be found' Outlining what happens next, Ms Long Bailey said: "The campaign continues. I and many other MPs across the House will keep pushing this issue forward through further debates, questions, and direct engagement with ministers. "There's cross-party consensus that a remedy must be found. It's now for the Government to get round the table with the 1950's women's groups and bring a proposal to Parliament that we can all support." The dispute revolves around the 1950s-born generation of women who were affected when the state pension age for women increased from 60 to 65 and then 66. WASPI and other campaign groups representing the women claim many did not know of the change, ruining their retirement plans. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman previously looked into the issue. The watchdog concluded there was maladministration in the DWP's efforts to inform the women, as the Government should have sent out letters to inform the women sooner. The Ombudsman also recommended payouts ranging from £1,000 to £2,950. Yet Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, announced at the end of last year that there would be no compensation, arguing most women did know of the change and it would have made little difference to send out letters earlier. The WASPI campaign has now asked for a judicial review of the DWP's decision, which the high court has agreed to take on. A fundraiser by WASPI to cover their basic legal costs has raised almost £230,000 to date. 'It's time for action' Asked for her views on the legal challenge, Ms Long Bailey said: "On the question of the judicial review, my position is that women shouldn't be forced into lengthy and costly legal battles to get the justice they're owed. That said, I understand why some are pursuing this route out of desperation." The MP went on to say her work to support the campaign will continue in Westminster. She said: "I'll continue to engage with campaign groups and look at how Parliament can support efforts to bring about redress that avoids unnecessary litigation and delays. These women have waited long enough. "The facts are clear. The injustice is real. It's time for action." A DWP spokesperson said previously about the judicial review: "We do not comment on live litigation. "We accept the Ombudsman's finding of maladministration and 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."
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
WASPI women call for State Pension age compensation to complete trio of UK Government U-turns
A State Pension age compensation scheme for WASPI women is due for debate in Parliament this week. Following concessions on Winter Fuel Payments and proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign (WASPI), is urging the UK Government to complete a trio of U-turns by reversing its decision not to compensate women impacted by changes to their State Pension age. WASPI say the final major 'political blunder' of the Labour Government should be made right. Angela Madden, Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality, said: 'Winter Fuel Payments and the PIP are but two of Labour's major political mistakes and betrayals. Compensation to WASPI women should now make for a hat trick of U-turns.' Ms Madden added: 'The independent Ombudsman's report was clear in endorsing compensation for 1950s-born women. Ministers should stop wasting taxpayers' money fighting us in court and agree to honour that recommendation.' WASPI announced last week that they had secured a vital legal safeguard in their bid for a High Court challenge. The campaign 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. On June 23, WASPI said a limit has been placed on the campaign's liability for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) defence costs. WASPI said the DWP had agreed to a costs capping order, protecting each side in the event they lose. The campaigners previously said they had 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), published in March 2024, suggested compensation ranging between £1,000 and £2,950 could be appropriate for each of those affected. But 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. Campaigners submitted arguments in February for a legal case challenging the decision not to compensate women. WASPI said the capping agreement limits its liability for UK Government legal costs to £60,000. But campaigners are continuing to ask supporters to contribute to its legal 'fighting fund,' saying they must raise enough to cover not only the capped costs, but those of the legal team fighting the case. WASPI chairwoman Angela Madden, explained: 'Without this safeguard, we faced a real risk of financial ruin - of effectively being silenced by the threat of Government legal bills running into hundreds of thousands of pounds. 'We now have the certainty we need to press on - but the costs of fighting this case remain very real.' She added: 'This is the fight of our lives.' 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.' The Chair of the Backbench Business Committee recently confirmed there will be a parliamentary debate on a motion over 'financial redress for 1950s women impacted by the DWP maladministration of the State Pension ' this week. Bob Blackman confirmed the debate will take place on Thursday, July 3.
Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
State Pension age compensation scheme for millions of WASPI women to be debated next week
An estimated 3.6 million women were financially impacted by the increase to the State Pension age. The Chair of the Backbench Business Committee has announced there will be a parliamentary debate on a motion over 'financial redress for 1950s women impacted by the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) maladministration of the State Pension ' next week. Bob Blackman confirmed the debate will take place on Thursday, July 3 during the weekly 'Business of the House' session in the Commons last week. The debate will be of keen interest to the WASPI women (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign who announced on Monday they have secured a vital legal safeguard in their bid for a compensation scheme for an estimated 3.6 million women after the High Court approved a limit on the campaign's liability for DWP defence costs. 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 DWP has agreed to a costs capping order, protecting each side in the event they lose. The agreement limits WASPI's liability for UK Government legal costs to £60,000, and caps the UK Government's liability for WASPI's legal costs at £90,000. WASPI has welcomed the breakthrough as a 'major milestone' in their fight to secure a lawful Government response to the Ombudsman's compensation proposals for 1950s-born women. However, campaigners stress the order does not reduce the actual legal costs of the case, which will be much higher. Earlier this month, Mr Justice Swift, a senior High Court judge ruled that the case is 'arguable' and 'ought to be considered at a final hearing', meaning ministers could be ordered to re-think their position on compensation if WASPI wins the argument in court. But arguing the case involves submitting thousands of pages of evidence, and winning key legal arguments on a complex body of case law. The campaign continues to ask supporters to contribute to its legal fighting fund as preparations begin for a full hearing later this year - they must raise enough to cover not only the capped UK Government costs, but those of the legal team fighting the case. The judicial review will examine the Government's rejection of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's (PHSO) recommendations for compensation, ranging between £1,000 and £2,950, despite ministers' acceptance that maladministration had occurred. 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. Angela Madden, Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), said: 'This agreement - fully approved by the court - is a vital step forward in our legal campaign. 'We now have the certainty we need to press on, but the costs of fighting this case remain very real. Our expert legal team is showing they can and do win victories against the government but it takes time and forensic presentation of our evidence, and that costs money. 'This is the fight of our lives and we can't win it without public support.' Earlier this month, WASPI launched a new interactive tool which shows the UK-wide state of play of MP support for a compensation scheme for 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.
Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Unlike lying Starmer, Trump is tackling immigration and keeping his promises
We've all said plenty about Donald Trump. Recently, I was asked to give him marks out of ten for his presidency so far. Reflecting on Ukraine, Greenland, Canada and tariffs, I couldn't go higher than three or four. But, say what you like about him, at least he's doing what he has said he would do. America voted to end DEI excesses and the absurdity of biological males in female sports, and he's doing it. They voted to tackle illegal immigration, and he's acting on it in LA. They voted to put America first, and he is. Now compare that with our leader: Keir Starmer. It's laughable, isn't it? He has U-turned and flip-flopped so much that I'm thoroughly car sick; there's no consistency in his beliefs and actions. And I don't mean the silly, though revealing stuff, like pretending to be a 'friend' of Jezza and convincing gullible Labour members that he would be 'continuity Corbyn', and then expelling his predecessor as Labour leader from the party. Nor the annoying bits, like insisting on a longer lockdown but secretly meeting his voice coach. I mean the crucial issues, like promising not to raise taxes, and pledging that council taxes and energy bills would go down, and failing to deliver on all these points. And also convincing the WASPI women, farmers and pensioners that he was on their side and then betraying all of them. His U-turn on the winter-fuel allowance was especially shocking. But it's on immigration that we have the most cause for complaint. Starmer and co repeatedly insisted that Rwanda was a dud and that once the evil Tories were safely dispatched, Labour would simply 'smash the gangs'. What codswallop. Not only have they failed to do any such thing, but they have presided over a gigantic 40 per cent rise in crossings. Why make a promise you know you can't keep? But that's like asking a scorpion why it stings. Yet, some folk are still convinced Starmer's 'a man of integrity'. A friend of mine uttered that very sentiment over lunch last week: for the first time in many moons, I was simply stunned into silence. In any case, if Starmer got anywhere near his promise to tackle immigration his own party would tear itself apart. A sizeable chunk of them want open borders, and the more sensible ones still wouldn't support anything to disincentivise migrants. They see Starmer hobnobbing with Italy's Meloni and hear him, with his fingers crossed behind his back, talk about an 'island of strangers' and they immediately wonder if they've inadvertently elected Rupert Lowe. Well, I'm increasingly of the view that the Prime Minister doesn't strongly believe in anything, as Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund argue in Get In: the inside story of Labour under Starmer. But is it too much to ask for a Prime Minister with some principles? The guy in the White House, love him or not, has some – as he is proving right now in facing down the riots in America and standing up for his nation's borders. Sadly, we're going to have to wait a few more years for the possibility of of a leader with some backbone in Britain.
Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
WASPI women clear 'significant hurdle' in bid for court review over pensions
The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign group has announced it has cleared a significant hurdle in its battle for a High Court challenge. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign group have announced a significant step forward in their fight for a High Court challenge. WASPI is pushing for a judicial review to compel the UK Government to rethink its decision to dismiss a compensation package for women impacted by the way changes to the State Pension age were communicated. On Friday, the campaigners revealed they've been informed their case is arguable, paving the way for a court hearing. A prior report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) suggested that compensation between £1,000 and £2,950 could be suitable for each affected individual. However, in December 2024, the UK Government stated that while it accepted the Ombudsman's finding of maladministration and apologised for the delay in contacting women born in the 1950s, a blanket compensation scheme, potentially costing taxpayers up to £10.5 billion, cannot be justified. In February, WASPI campaigners put forth arguments for a legal case challenging the decision not to compensate women, reports the Daily Record. The campaigners' lawyers argue that the UK Government's reasons for deciding that people should not receive any remedy violate legal principles. WASPI also anticipates a hearing to consider its application for a costs capping order, ensuring campaigners wouldn't be burdened with unknown costs to cover legal fees if they lose. Nevertheless, the organisation has warned it may need to withdraw its legal challenge if it lacks this monetary safety net and is appealing for more donations to support the fight. WASPI's chairwoman Angela Madden hailed the go-ahead in their legal battle as a "landmark moment in our campaign". Speaking out, she remarked: "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." Declining to give a detailed opinion due to ongoing proceedings, a spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions stated to PA news agency: "We do not comment on live litigation. We have apologised for there being a 28-month delay in writing to 1950s-born women." They continued to outline the department's stance: "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." This week, WASPI has been proactive by introducing a fresh interactive tool that reveals the level of MP support across the country for a compensation scheme aimed at helping around 3.6 million women impacted by the shift in their state pension age. Recent data uncovers that 179 MPs have openly criticised the UK Government's refusal to compensate the WASPI women in the past few months. Of these, WASPI points out that 56 Labour MPs have vocally condemned Number 10 for failing to address this injustice, with a considerable number more believed to be silently supportive, including several high-profile ministers. The map reveals a near-unanimous backing from smaller parties, with a robust coalition of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs rallying behind the call to compensate WASPI women. Minor parties are almost entirely in agreement, with a formidable alliance of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs endorsing the plea for WASPI women's compensation. Approximately a dozen Tory MPs have also recently reiterated their support for compensation. These revelations coincide with the launch of WASPI's revamped website, which now includes resources to help supporters pen letters to their MPs and join the campaign for a modest annual fee of £15. Among the most fervent advocates for WASPI women are members of the State Pension Inequality for Women APPG, led by Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey. This cross-party group of MPs, one of the largest in Parliament, comprises representatives from all major political parties who have pledged to persist in their quest for justice. However, according to WASPI campaigners, 134 MPs who previously supported calls for compensation have not reaffirmed their stance following the Labour Government's announcement in December. The data does not account for serving government ministers or whips, at least 80 of whom have previously expressed their support for the campaign. The stances of all MPs on compensation can be found on WASPI's interactive 'state of the nation' map, along with new campaign resources, here.
