The Women Against State Pension group (WASPI) has confirmed that it is once more launching legal proceedings against the government to demand the money it believes more than three million women in the UK are owed.

It has long been the argument of the group that WASPI women were treated unfairly after delays from the government in communicating that the age when they could withdraw their state pensions had been raised.

A 67-month investigation from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) concluded in March 2024, and recommended compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950 for those affected.

However, in  December 2024 the government stated that it would not be awarding compensation, a message which was reiterated in March last year.

A previous decision not to offer redress was reviewed after the rediscovery of a 2007 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) evaluation, which at the time led to officials stopping sending out automatic pension forecast letters.

(Image: WASPI)

News of the legal action has been welcomed by, Karen Sheldon, one of the WASPI co-ordinators for Suffolk.

“Trust in the government has totally evaporated as they have squandered it by ignoring this injustice,” Mrs Sheldon said. 

“We deserve this compensation and they know it. We are angry, let down and we want this injustice put right. 

“This government and other leading party candidates may be feeling the hurt of the outcome of the local elections, but it is nothing to what WASPI women have felt and suffered.”

She added: “Suffolk WASPI women and their families, approximately 50,000 in the county, will continue to use their votes at every opportunity until their voices are heard by the government who promised to support them only to renege when they won the election.”

 

What is a WASPI woman?

The Women Against State Pension Inequality represent women born between 6 April, 1950, and 5 April, 1960, who were impacted by increases made to their state pension age.

A phased increase to 65 was included in the 1995 Pensions Act, but in 2011 the coalition government sped up the process.

Legislation was passed which raised the age from 60 to 65 – but failed to make them aware of it for more than two years. This was later raised to 66.

It was not until 2009 to 2013 that the Department for Work and Pensions sent people letters about the 1995 and 2011 changes.