Millions of 'Waspi women' left without compensation as government decision stands, campaigners vow to fight on.
The UK government's latest ruling has dealt a crushing blow to the hundreds of thousands of women born in the 1950s who are fighting for state pension compensation. Despite the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's (PHSO) decision last March that those affected should be compensated, ministers have refused to budge.
The group, known as "Waspi" or Women Against State Pension Inequality, claims that government failings led to their retirement plans being thrown into chaos, with many left thousands of pounds out of pocket. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) increased the state pension age from 60 to 65, and then to 66, affecting an estimated 3.6 million women born in the 1950s and the first three months of 1960.
Campaigners argue that the government's decision is a "disgraceful" attempt to avoid paying compensation, despite evidence suggesting that many women were unaware of the pension age changes until it was too late. The group claims that thousands of women are struggling to make ends meet due to the increased burden of supporting themselves and their families.
Angela Madden, chair of Waspi, has vowed to take the government to court once again, stating that "all options remain on the table." She accused the government of demonstrating "utter contempt" for the affected women, parliament, and the parliamentary ombudsman. The group is now reviewing its next move, but it's clear that they will not rest until justice is served.
The decision has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for the government to reconsider its stance. As one woman put it, "I was expecting my pension at 60, and I made plans based on that. Now I'm struggling to pay my bills." The government's refusal to provide compensation is seen as a gross injustice, leaving many women to suffer the consequences of a decision made by those in power.
The campaign against state pension inequality has been ongoing for years, with Waspi at the forefront of the fight. Despite the latest setback, the group remains determined to secure justice for the hundreds of thousands of women affected.
The UK government's latest ruling has dealt a crushing blow to the hundreds of thousands of women born in the 1950s who are fighting for state pension compensation. Despite the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's (PHSO) decision last March that those affected should be compensated, ministers have refused to budge.
The group, known as "Waspi" or Women Against State Pension Inequality, claims that government failings led to their retirement plans being thrown into chaos, with many left thousands of pounds out of pocket. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) increased the state pension age from 60 to 65, and then to 66, affecting an estimated 3.6 million women born in the 1950s and the first three months of 1960.
Campaigners argue that the government's decision is a "disgraceful" attempt to avoid paying compensation, despite evidence suggesting that many women were unaware of the pension age changes until it was too late. The group claims that thousands of women are struggling to make ends meet due to the increased burden of supporting themselves and their families.
Angela Madden, chair of Waspi, has vowed to take the government to court once again, stating that "all options remain on the table." She accused the government of demonstrating "utter contempt" for the affected women, parliament, and the parliamentary ombudsman. The group is now reviewing its next move, but it's clear that they will not rest until justice is served.
The decision has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for the government to reconsider its stance. As one woman put it, "I was expecting my pension at 60, and I made plans based on that. Now I'm struggling to pay my bills." The government's refusal to provide compensation is seen as a gross injustice, leaving many women to suffer the consequences of a decision made by those in power.
The campaign against state pension inequality has been ongoing for years, with Waspi at the forefront of the fight. Despite the latest setback, the group remains determined to secure justice for the hundreds of thousands of women affected.