Labour defends'fair' WASPI decision as it was 'based on the evidence'

Labour has issued a fresh defence of its decision not to grant compensation for the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) generation of women. The Government announced at the end of last year there would be no payouts for the 1950s-born generation of women.

This was despite the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman previously suggesting they should get compensation up to £3,000.

The dispute revolves around the generation of women who were impacted when their state pension age went up from 60 to 65 and then 66. The campaigners claim that many of the women did not know of the change up until the last minute, ruining their retirement plans.

They claim the DWP did not properly inform them of the policy change. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman carried out an investigation into the issue, concluding that the DWP should have written letters to the women sooner.

In its 2023 report, the watchdog also recommended payouts ranging from £1,000 to £2,950, and urged for Parliament to take up the issue. But the Government announced at the end of 2024 there would be no compensation for the women.

WASPI is one of several campaign groups still fighting for the women to get compensation. Liberal Democrat MP Edward Morello asked in a written question in Parliament about what recent discussions the Government has had with "local stakeholders" in his area of West Dorset about the issue.

Pensions minister Torsten Bell responded to say that there have been no discussions with people in the region. But he did make a reference to the Government's decision not to grant compensation.

He said: "After careful consideration of the Ombudsman's findings, we made our decision which was fair and based on the evidence."

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced the decision in December last year, arguing that most women did know of the change. She also made the case that sending out letters would have made little difference. Mr Bell also said in his response: "There is now live litigation on this matter."

This refers to a judicial review that the WASPI campaign has applied for, which will be heard at the high court in December. The campaigners hope the court will overturn the Government's decision not to grant compensation.

This would not guarantee payouts for the women but it would invalidate the Government's decision, meaning they would have to decide on the issue again, providing fresh reasons if they still think the women should not get payouts.