Derbyshire leader of national WASPI group welcomes findings of Ombudsman’s report which calls for compensation

The north Derbyshire based leader of a national campaign group fighting to win compensation for women who were not given adequate notice of a change in State Pension age eligibility has welcomed the findings of an Ombudsman’s report.
By Gay Bolton
Published 22nd Mar 2024, 13:51 GMT
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Angela Madden, chairman of WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality), said: “After a five year investigation by the Ombudsman who examined all the available evidence from DWP and WASPI women we are pleased that his report clearly identifies maladministration - the DWP should have informed us and didn’t. We are also very pleased that the Ombudsman has suggested that we deserve to be compensated.”

The Ombudsman’s report, released yesterday (Thursday), suggests that each Fifties born woman affected by the change in State Pension age eligibility should receive a payout of between £1,000 and £2,950. It refers to level four on the compensation scale – a significant and/or lasting injustice that has affected someone's ability to live a relatively normal life.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Angela, who lives near Chesterfield, said: “It’s a complicated report, we need to analyse it and take advice on how to proceed. We have support in Parliament for a bigger payout. The All Party Parliamentary group on State Pension inequality provided evidence to the Ombudsman stating that our injustice was at level 6 on their scale - which would start at £10,000 per woman affected. If it ever goes to a vote in Parliament we would be looking for MPs to upgrade the amount suggested. It will be interesting to see in this election year what the various parties are willing to sign up to.”

Angela Madden, centre, was among WASPI members who delivered a petition to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street in 2023.Angela Madden, centre, was among WASPI members who delivered a petition to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street in 2023.
Angela Madden, centre, was among WASPI members who delivered a petition to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street in 2023.

Rebecca Hilsenrath, chief executive of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, said: “Parliament now needs to act swiftly, and make sure a compensation scheme is established. We think this will provide women with the quickest route to remedy.”  

More than 3.6 million women received as little as 12 months’ notice of a six-year hike to their State Pension age, plunging their retirement plans and personal finances into disarray.

Peter Aldous, MP, vice-chair of the State Pension Inequality for Women All Party Parliamentary Group, said: “These millions of women worked, cared for families, and supported communities all their lives. They deserve the dignity of fast compensation. The campaign for justice for 1950s women goes on until Parliament reaches the right conclusion.”