The leader of the WASPI campaign has cautioned government officials that backing for their cause is at an all-time high, with members prepared for a legal battle in the upcoming year.
Angela Madden, the chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), asserted that millions of women born in the 1950s remain steadfast in their pursuit of compensation. This determination follows the government’s reconsideration of its previous decision to deny payments, prompted by new evidence surfacing.
Angela, aged 71, emphasized that nothing less than a compensation program for over 3.5 million women would be acceptable. Speaking to The Mirror, she stated, “If we believe the decision is unjust, we are prepared to resort to legal action once more.”
The WASPI group was poised for a legal confrontation in early December, seeking a judicial review, but legal proceedings were put on hold pending the outcome of the latest review. Angela expressed members’ ongoing frustration over the failure to grant payments ranging from £1,000 to £2,950 over a year ago, estimating that an affected woman passes away every 13 minutes.
Following an agreement to cover £180,000 in legal costs in a last-minute deal, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is expected to announce its decision in February.
Angela remarked, “The government sought to avoid a court battle because they were aware that their decision could be deemed unlawful. We are increasingly suspicious that their stance is firm and unlikely to change.”
Failures within the DWP resulted in inadequate communication regarding the decision to raise the state pension age for women. Many individuals were severely impacted, facing financial hardship due to the unforeseen changes affecting their retirement plans.
Angela, who retired shortly before turning 55 to care for her ailing mother, highlighted that rather than waning, support for the campaign is growing. She noted, “Our Facebook followers have increased to around 165,000, with an additional 35,000 new followers joining in recent weeks. Our paid membership scheme has also seen an rise in participants.”
“This has sparked heightened engagement and willingness to contribute. Our crowd justice fundraiser set a target of £270,000, which has been surpassed. People continue to inquire about contributing financially, demonstrating unwavering support for our cause,” Angela added.
In 2024, the government apologized for a 28-month delay in notifying affected women about the pension age adjustment but dismissed the notion of financial compensations. Despite recommendations from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) to establish a compensation scheme, the government stood firm.
Angela stressed, “This treatment would not be tolerated if it were directed at a less vulnerable group. The government is attempting to create a false generational divide, but many young individuals support WASPI, understanding that they could face similar challenges in the future.”
Previously, Keir