02 April 2023 , 23:01
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Campaigners have hailed a milestone on their "long journey to justice" for millions of 1950s-born women hit by state pension age rises.
Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) said they had forced a government watchdog into a climbdown over its probe into the DWP's failure to communicate the raise in pension age from 60 to 65, and then 66, in time to let those affected make plans.
Men previously received their state pension at 65 and women at 60 but the retirement age is now 66 for everyone. It is due to rise to 68 but a decision on when this comes into force has been delayed.
WASPI estimated women lost up to £50,000 from their state pension after the hike, and campaigners have demanded compensation for those affected.
Leaders say an affected woman dies every 13 minutes without seeing justice.
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The group launched a judicial review against the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) earlier this year after rejecting its assessment of the scale of the injustice women suffered.
WASPI campaigners at a rally in 2021 (Manchester Evening News)The ombudsman has now agreed to look again at the second stage of its investigation, in a move described as "big victory" by campaigners.
“This is a real milestone on our very long journey to justice," said WASPI Chair Angela Madden.
“Now we call on all political parties to commit to fast, fair compensation for WASPI women in their manifestos at the next election.
"With one of our number dying every 13 minutes, there’s not a second to waste in recognising the financial loss, hardship and trauma DWP’s incompetence has caused."
WASPI’s solicitor, Caroline Robinson of Bindmans LLP, said: “A huge group of women who had been let down badly by the DWP placed their trust in the Ombudsman to get to the bottom of why that happened, why it was unjust and to recommend a fair remedy.
"Regrettably, the Ombudsman also let them down with his deeply flawed Stage 2 report. But our clients are pleased that the Ombudsman had the humility to recognise his errors when challenged and agreed to withdraw the report and reconsider his approach.
The retirement age was hiked for women (Getty Images/iStockphoto)"Our clients are hopeful that this will lead to a fairer outcome for those affected by the DWP’s maladministration."
A PHSO spokesperson said: "We are confident that we have completed a fair and impartial investigation. As an independent Ombudsman, our duty is to provide the right outcome for all involved and make sure justice is achieved. Given the legal challenge brought against us, we have agreed to look again at part of our stage 2 report.
"We hope this cooperative approach will provide the quickest route to remedy for those affected and reduce the delay to the publication of our final report.”
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A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “The Government decided over 25 years ago it was going to make the State Pension age the same for men and women.
“Both the High Court and Court of Appeal have supported the actions of the DWP under successive governments dating back to 1995 and the Supreme Court refused the claimants permission to appeal.”
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