WASPI campaigners prepare for key meeting ‘to hold DWP to account’

WASPI campaigners (Women Against State Pension Inequality) will have a fresh opportunity to make their case for compensation payouts before a group of MPs.

The campaign group will attend an evidence session of the Work and Pensions Committee, who are responsible for overseeing and scrutinising the work of the DWP.

The meeting comes after the Labour Government announced last month there would be no compensation payouts for the 1950s-born women who were affected when the state pension age jumped up from 60 to 65 and then to 66.

A previous investigation from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman found there was ‘maladministration’ in how the DWP communicated to the women about the change, with many unaware they would have to wait another five or six years to claim their state pension.

The Ombudsman also recommended payouts of £1,000 and £2,950, but pensions minister Liz Kendall told the Commons last month that no payouts would be forthcoming, arguing that most women knew of the change and that this would be a poor use of taxpayers’ money.

WASPI campaign chair, Angela Madden, said of the upcoming committee meeting: “That will be an opportunity for us to talk to the committee about what are our options now, what we would like to happen now.

“The select committee is part of the Government process. They are the people who hold the Department of Work and Pensions to account. A letter from them or a request from them has to be taken seriously by the department.”

The evidence meeting is taking place on January 22. The previous committee in place under the Conservative Government came out in support of compensation – one its members was Labour’s Debbie Abrahams, who now chairs the committee.

Many individual MPs have been longtime supporters of compensation, with the Liberal Democrats and the SNP backing the cause as a party policy.

Ms Madden said it’s important to update the committee given after the Government’s decision not to compensate. She explained: “Circumstances have definitely changed since the announcement for us. We want to help the committee who are responsible for the DWP hold them to account.”

Since the decision, MPs supporting WASPI payouts have set up two separate early day motions calling for action on the issue.

One of the motions condemns the decision and urges for the women to get “fair treatment”, with 41 MPs signing their support.

A total of 9 MPs have supported the other motion, which calls on ministers to “reverse this decision”.

The WASPI cause will also get an airing this week as there is to be a debate on the issue in Westminster Hall, with WASPI campaigners to attend to watch the proceedings. This will be held on Wednesday, January 15.

Ms Madden said: “We are writing out to all the MPs who support us asking them to go along. I’m sure the independents will be there.”