WASPI campaign launches new petition demanding State Pension age compensation by March

The Women Against State Pension Inequality run (WASPI) has launched a caller online petition that calls connected the UK Government to reasonably compensate women calved successful the 1950s

The Women Against State Pension Inequality run (WASPI) has launched a caller online petition, urging the UK Government to "fairly compensate" women calved successful the 1950s who person been affected by changes to their State Pension age. The petition besides demands that the authorities "urgently respond" to the recommendations successful the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's (PHSO) last study by March 21, 2015.

This day marks 1 twelvemonth since the Ombudsman released the findings of its six-year probe into complaints against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The study concluded that women calved successful the 1950s should person received astatine slightest 28 months' much idiosyncratic announcement from the DWP astir the changes to their State Pension age.

The PHSO besides stated that those women who were unaware of the changes mislaid the accidental to set their status plans owed to delay. The study urged that "Parliament indispensable urgently place a mechanics for providing that due remedy" and suggested compensation equivalent to Level 4 connected its banding scale, which ranges betwixt £1,000 and £2,950.

READ MORE: WASPI pension update arsenic Keir Starmer hints long-running saga could extremity soon

Despite repeated calls from crossed the House and run groups, determination has been nary advancement connected a compensation plan.

Both Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kensall person hinted that an update connected immoderate compensation connection for WASPI women volition beryllium made "soon" oregon successful the "near future" but stopped abbreviated of confirming immoderate circumstantial dates. The e-petition demanding compensation, launched by WASPI run manager Jane Cowley, has already garnered thousands of signatures since its posting connected the authoritative UK Government website past Thursday evening, reports the Daily Record.

The petition, titled 'Introduce a compensation strategy for WASPI women', reads: "We telephone connected the Government to reasonably compensate WASPI women affected by the increases to their State Pension property and the associated failings successful DWP communications."

It besides demands: "We privation the Government to urgently respond to PHSO study and acceptable up a compensation strategy by 21 March 2025."

Ms Cowley added: "In March 2024, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman said 1950s-born women were owed fiscal redress and an apology owed to DWP maladministration."

She further highlighted the enactment for the cause, stating: "The Ombudsman's findings were backed by the cross-party Work and Pensions Select Committee, hundreds of MPs and, according to our polling, 68 per cent of the public. However, lone the Government has the powerfulness to enactment this injustice right."

The petition concludes with a grim reminder of the urgency needed, noting: "We person calculated that with 1 affected pistillate dying each 13 minutes, determination is nary clip for further delay."

Once the petition hits 10,000 signatures, it volition person a written effect from the UK Government. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, the Pensions Committee volition see it for statement successful Parliament.

The afloat petition tin beryllium viewed connected the petitions-parliament website.