WASPI campaigners are urging the public to support their legal battle against Labour's refusal to compensate millions of women born in the 1950s who say they were not adequately informed about changes to the State Pension age.
The group, which has been tirelessly advocating for recognition of the hardship caused by the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) mismanagement, has initiated a crowdfunding campaign to finance a judicial review.
With only 26 days remaining to hit their £180,000 target, they have already amassed over £115,000 from more than 6,600 pledges. The controversy originates from government alterations that increased the state pension age for women from 60 to 66, changes that WASPI contends were inadequately communicated.
Many affected women say they were left uninformed about the changes until it was too late to revise their financial and retirement strategies, leading to considerable hardship. In March 2024, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) determined that the DWP's failure to properly inform women of these changes constituted maladministration.
The Ombudsman also suggested compensation for the impacted women. However, Labour dismissed the recommendation, arguing that no injustice had occurred and that no payments were necessary due to worries that the total cost to the taxpayer could exceed £10.5 billion.
WASPI vehemently disagrees and is now seeking legal recourse to challenge the Government's decision. Campaigners believe the Government's reasoning is legally flawed, and if the judicial review they're planning is successful, it could force ministers to re-evaluate.
WASPI has recognised that even with a successful judicial review, it wouldn't instantly mean compensation. Still, it would challenge the Government's stance, pushing for a fresh, legally robust consideration on whether the women affected should be compensated.
A campaign spokesperson said on X: "We will not allow the Government's decision to go unchallenged. With your help, WASPI will fight on by asking the High Court to make the Ombudsman system work properly by forcing the Government to make a lawful decision."
Any raised funds will cover costs for the same high-profile legal team that previously clinched a judicial review victory against the Ombudsman's conclusions, as well as potential expenses the Government may claim if WASPI doesn't win.
WASPI is calling on donations from those directly affected, their relatives, and anyone in the broader community who supports accountability of the Government to chip in. They emphasise that even the smallest donations could greatly aid their cause for justice.
The WASPI CrowdJustice page is set to collect donations within the next 24 to 48 hours. Campaigners are also urging the public to share the appeal widely to keep the issue in the spotlight.
With millions of women still seeking justice, WASPI remains resolute in their mission to ensure their voices are heard and accountability is maintained. For more information or to donate, visit the official WASPI campaign's fundraising page here.
