WASPI update as DWP minister confirms 'we will look into the details'

A DWP minister has said he will be taking action on compensation for WASPI women (Women Against State Pension Inequality). The Government announced last year there would be no payouts for the 1950s-born women represented by WASPI and other campaign groups.

But the pressure continues for the DWP to change course and provide compensation, with a judicial review of the decision not to grant payouts coming up in December. Many individudal MPs have voiced their support for compensation, while some political parties back the cause, including the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and the SNP.

Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed, who represents Dewsbury and Batley, asked a question in the House of Commons on Monday, October 27, about the issue. He said: "Last week, I attended a drop-in for the Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign where I was informed that there are currently 4,320 women in Dewsbury and Batley affected by the WASPI scandal.

"That number was previously higher, but many of the women have already passed away without justice. On 27 July, I wrote to the former Secretary of State regarding her support for the WASPI campaign after being contacted by more than 40 of my constituents, but I have yet to receive a response.

"With the Government still refusing to engage in civil mediation to deliver justice to the WASPI women, will the new Secretary of State reconsider meeting campaigners to find a just way forward?"

Pensions minister Torsten Bell stood up to provide a response. He said: "The previous minister for pensions met representatives of the WASPI campaign in order to hear directly from them about their experiences. She was the first minister to do so in eight years. I will look into the details of the letter the honourable gentleman mentions." Express.co.uk has contacted Mr Mohamed to ask if he has had any response since asking the question.

What is the WASPI controversy about?

WASPI is one of several groups calling for compensation for 1950s-born women affected by the state pension age increasing from 60 to 65, to equalise it with men. They claim many of the women did not know of the change, ruining their retirement plans, and that the DWP should have contacted them sooner to let them know.

A previous investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman found there were errors on the part of the DWP, and that they should have sent out letters to inform the women sooner. The group also recommended payouts ranging from £1,000 to £2,950.

But the DWP announced at the end of last year that there would be no compensation. Ministers argued that it would have made little difference to send out letter sooner, and that most women did know of the change to their state pension age.

A judicial review of this decision will take place on December 9 and 10. A DWP spokesperson said previously about the judicial review: "We do not comment on live litigation. We accept the Ombudsman's finding of maladministration and have apologised for there being a 28-month delay in writing to 1950s-born women.

"However, we do not agree with the Ombudsman's approach to injustice or remedy and that is why we have decided not to pay compensation."