Campaigners for the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) have issued what they describe as their most critical update yet, urging women affected by changes to their state pension age to take immediate action. The call comes as the Labour government reconsiders a previous decision not to pay compensation.
Parliamentary Pressure Mounts for 3.5 Million Women
In a rallying cry on social media platform X, the campaign group stressed that Parliament will ultimately decide on compensation for the millions of women impacted. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has already ruled that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) failed to adequately inform over 3.5 million women, born in the 1950s, about increases to their State Pension age.
"Writing to our MPs is so vital right now," stated WASPI, "while the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions reconsiders the decision they took not to pay compensation." The group has provided a template letter on its website to simplify the process for supporters.
Government Forced to Retake Compensation Decision
Through a Judicial Review, WASPI has successfully pressured the government to back down. Ministers have now agreed to retake the decision on compensation before 2 March 2026. Despite an official apology from the government for its administrative failures, it has so far refused to comply with the Ombudsman's instruction to pay affected women.
Douglas McAllister, MP for West Dunbartonshire, is among those amplifying the call. This week he confirmed: "I've written to the Minister for Work & Pensions urging him to retake the decision made last December and finally compensate @WASPI_Campaign." He added that he maintains regular contact with affected constituents, assuring them of his full support.
A Final Push for Justice
The WASPI campaign is now in a critical phase. With the government's self-imposed deadline of early March 2026 approaching, the focus is on maximising political pressure. The campaign's website directly asks supporters: "Can you spare two minutes to encourage them to support our calls for fair compensation?"
The outcome of this reconsideration will be pivotal for the women who argue they suffered significant financial and emotional hardship due to the lack of notice about their delayed pension age. The coming weeks are set to determine whether a decades-long fight for justice will finally result in government redress.
