Keir Starmer is facing renewed opposition from Labour MPs who are now urging for a reversal on WASPI payouts. A group of 15 backbenchers, alongside 100 MPs from various parties including the Lib Dems, Tories, Reform, SNP, independents, and DUP, have jointly called for a reconsideration of the decision to deny compensation to millions of women born in the 1950s.
Following the emergence of new evidence last year, government officials are in deliberation on their next steps. The collective letter emphasized the need to rectify the situation for 1950s-born women, drawing parallels to previous adjustments made in policies like Winter Fuel Payment and Personal Independence Payments.
The pressure is mounting on the government to overturn the ruling denying compensation ranging from £1,000 to £2,950 to 3.6 million women. WASPI had been gearing up for a legal battle in December for a judicial review, but pending the outcome of the ongoing review, legal action has been put on hold.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been criticized for inadequately communicating the decision to increase the state pension age for women, resulting in financial struggles for many affected individuals. These women have experienced a significant increase in their state pension age, moving from 60 to 65 and then to 66.
Angela Madden, the chair of the WASPI campaign, has urged the government to stop delaying compensation for the affected women. She highlighted the overwhelming public support and the growing backing from Parliament, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming weeks for Labour ministers to heed the calls from backbenchers and colleagues across Parliament.
