The Labour government has confirmed that work is actively progressing to reconsider a decision on compensation for millions of women affected by changes to their state pension age.
Government Commits to Fresh Decision
In a statement before the Christmas recess, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell told the House of Commons that the government is retaking a decision made in December 2024. This decision related to communications about state pension age changes for women born in the 1950s, known as WASPI women.
Bell stated: "As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State announced in his oral statement on November 11, 2025, we have decided to retake the decision made last December as it relates to the communications on state pension age. The work is underway, and we will update the House on the decision as soon as a conclusion is reached."
Root and Branch Reconsideration Agreed
This update follows the government's agreement earlier in December to a "root and branch" reconsideration of its response to a critical report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). The Ombudsman's investigation, published in March 2024, found clear evidence of maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The report concluded that the DWP's failure to provide timely and adequate information about the rising state pension age meant women were denied the chance to make informed financial plans. This resulted in a loss of personal autonomy and financial control, constituting an injustice. The Ombudsman explicitly recommended that the affected women receive compensation.
The previous government rejected this finding in December 2024, stating it believed no injustice had occurred and therefore no compensation was due. The new Labour administration has now agreed to explore how the identified injustice should be remedied and has committed to a 12-week timetable for this reconsideration, a key demand from the WASPI campaign.
Campaigners Maintain Pressure for Justice
WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaigners, led by chair Angela Madden, have consistently argued that the government's position was unlawful. They welcomed the commitment to a fresh look but continue to press for a swift and fair outcome.
The group previously said: "We believe the Government is wrong to say that its maladministration has not caused any injustice and to deprive us of compensation. We believe its reasons are bad and we have a good case in law to show they are unlawful."
The government's next update to Parliament will be keenly awaited by the estimated 3.8 million women impacted by the DWP's communication failures.
