Compensation for WASPI Women needed before Christmas

The WASPI women still have not been compensated, eight months after the PHSO report instructed ministers to urgently compensate and apologise.

I have signed a cross-party letter to the Chancellor and DWP Secretary calling for action before Christmas recess.

The letter reads as follows:

Dear Chancellor and Secretary of State,

The Government’s response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) report into women’s State Pension age changes, published 21 March 2024.

We are writing as representatives of seven parties across the House to urge you to provide an update on your response to the PHSO’s report into women’s State Pension age changes as quickly as possible.

There was welcome compensation for victims of the Post Office and infected blood scandals in the recent Budget. However, we must ensure that WASPI women are not left behind.

In laying its findings before Parliament more than eight months ago, the PHSO instructed ministers to urgently compensate and apologise to those affected by the DWP’s failure to properly inform them of increases to their State Pension age.

The PHSO’s calls are backed by the cross-party Work and Pensions Select Committee, a clear majority of MPs and millions of people across the country. However, more than 25,000 women born in the 1950s have died since their ruling was made. Therefore, time is running out to compensate those affected.

In recent days, a parliamentary petition calling on ministers to urgently respond to the PHSO report, and to set up a compensation scheme by 21 March 2025, has been signed by more than 125,000 people.

We urge you to update Parliament on your progress in responding to the PHSO’s report before the Christmas recess, setting out the likely scope of any compensation scheme and when it will commence.

We look forward to your response at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

The Rt Hon. Stephen Flynn MP

Westminster Leader, Scottish National Party

The Rt Hon. Sir Ed Davey MP

Leader, Liberal Democrats

The Rt Hon. Liz Saville Roberts MP

Westminster Leader, Plaid Cymru

The Rt Hon. Gavin Robinson MP

Leader, Democratic Unionist Party

Adrian Ramsay MP and Carla Denyer MP

Co-leaders, Green Party of England and Wales