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.
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“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.”