![Julie Hince](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/money/2024/07/11/TELEMMGLPICT000385238916_17207159562580_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqNUHzxaamNmHDqK-YksWRz0-Zkeq22DP0pP_ERpmv4gg.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Waspi women eye state pension payout under Labour
Campaign demands MPs to deliver a clear timetable and not ‘kick it into the long grass’
![Julie Hince](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/money/2024/07/11/TELEMMGLPICT000385238916_17207159562580_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqNUHzxaamNmHDqK-YksWRz0-Zkeq22DP0pP_ERpmv4gg.jpeg?imwidth=680)
The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign has warned new MPs that pre-election promises will not be forgotten.
The group, which represents 1950s-born women who were forced to wait up to six years longer for their state pension, said Labour must deliver a clear timetable for compensation and not “kick it into the long grass”.
Waspi is demanding that the new Labour government outlines how much Waspi women will receive and when within its first 100 days. One woman affected said it would be a “great travesty” and a “betrayal” if Labour failed to pay up.
Many Waspis were forced to work longer when their state pension age increased, first to 65 to equalise it with men, then to 66. Many say they were not properly warned which affected their retirement planning and caused financial harm.
In a damning report released in March, the Parliament and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) agreed and recommended compensation payouts between £1,000 and £2,950. The Conservative government said it would consider the report, but made no other commitments.
Labour has also failed to commit since dropping its 2019 manifesto promise of up to £31,300 in compensation. It was left out of the party’s 2024 manifesto completely, despite pledges on the infected blood, Grenfell and Covid-19 inquiries being included.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves also provoked outrage last month by admitting she had “not set out any money for this”, despite previously recognising the injustice. Waspi women said they felt “appalled, shocked and betrayed”.
Waspi campaign chairman Angela Madden said: “Waspi enjoys the overwhelming support of hundreds of Labour MPs, while many in the Cabinet, including the Prime Minister himself, have previously backed our calls for fair and fast compensation.
“We simply cannot afford to wait any longer and millions of women are now looking to Labour to make good on their previous promises. The government must urgently bring forward compensation proposals within 100 days of the new Parliament.”
Frances Neil, South East regional co-ordinator for the Waspi campaign, added: “There is a feeling we’re pushing at a door that’s no longer locked. In opposition, [Labour] can’t make any decisions, but they will know our plight and of our demands. We have made sure that they have heard.”
In May, Sir Stephen Timms, chairman of the work and pensions committee of MPs, called for a “quick resolution”.
He also said: “We should set up a clear timetable now for this.” Since then, he’s become a Department for Work (DWP) and Pensions minister.
The campaign said that there are now 236 “supportive” MPs in Parliament, almost twice the number of Conservative MPs now in Parliament. Around half of these are Labour MPs, with 33 newly elected.
Ms Neil warned them all against dropping the issue.
She said: “We won’t be giving up. Waspi has been tenacious and will continue to be. We have very good links to all MPs, those who were in government and those who are new. We have met with people who are now in positions of responsibility. We have a swell of pledges to support us that we’re going to be calling on.
“Having stated that we would like action within 100 days, Waspi will be contacting and pressing to make sure people know what we’re expecting. We don’t want it to be cast aside and left in the long grass.”
Retired teacher Julie Hince, 64, said she only found out six years ago that her state pension age would be 66. She has had to sell half of her house to a friend and live off the proceeds, vastly reducing what she can leave to her children.
She said: “Politicians kept saying we’re waiting for the decision of the ombudsman. There would be a great lack of trust in politicians if they don’t follow through.
“I have thought in the past there have been a lot of Labour MPs who have stood up for Waspi and said it’s very justified. I was surprised during the run-up to the election that Labour didn’t commit. I was very pleased that the Lib Dems did and that actually swayed my voting.
“If the new government lets us down, it would be a very great travesty. I look every day and see what’s being said by whom. The whole situation impacts my life every day.
“I do believe that they will [pay compensation]. Well, I hope they do. I find it almost inconceivable that they could not follow through on it. I’d feel very betrayed by Labour.”
A DWP spokesman said: “This was a serious report, requiring serious consideration. We will need time to carefully review and consider the Ombudsman’s report. Once this work has been undertaken, we will be in a position to outline our approach.
“We will continue to listen respectfully to the women involved, and ensure we take on board any lessons learnt.”
Sir Stephen Timms MP was contacted for comment.