Angela Madden, the chairwoman of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign, has expressed confidence that Prime Minister Andy Burnham will fulfill a commitment to compensate approximately 3.5 million women born in the 1950s. These women were reportedly given insufficient notice regarding increases to their state pension age, leading to financial hardship.
Madden, 72, indicated that Prime Minister Burnham is receptive to the issue, stating that "if he can do something, he will." This optimism persists despite a previous suggestion from Burnham that compensation might take the form of "concessionary travel," a benefit many in the affected age group already receive. Madden interpreted this as an indication that the Prime Minister intends to find a tangible form of compensation, even if the specifics are yet to be determined.
Background of the Pension Age Changes
The state pension age increases were initiated by the 1995 Pensions Act, which gradually raised the pension age for women from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020. A subsequent 2011 Pensions Act accelerated the qualifying age to 65 for women by 2018. The state pension age for both men and women has since risen to 66.
Ombudsman's Findings and Recommendations
Waspi women contend that they were not adequately informed about these changes. A six-year investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman concluded that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) committed "maladministration" by failing to provide timely and adequate information about the state pension age increases to many women in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This lack of awareness left many women unable to adjust their financial planning, with devastating consequences, particularly for single women who relied heavily on their state pension.
In early 2024, the ombudsman recommended compensation ranging from £3.5 billion to over £10 billion. Madden believes that fair redress can be achieved without imposing an excessive burden on taxpayers, suggesting that payments could be spread over several years and that women should apply for the compensation, as some may have been aware of the changes through other means.
Madden and fellow campaigner Janet Fulster have recently written to Prime Minister Burnham urging him to demonstrate the "political will" to resolve the matter. They advocate for "fair and proportionate" redress, taking national finances into account.
Political Stance and Public Support
Madden expressed disappointment with the Labour Party's previous stance. While Labour in opposition had supported the Waspi campaign, the issue was omitted from their 2024 election manifesto. In late 2024, then-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall described the ombudsman's recommended compensation as not a "fair or proportionate use of taxpayers' money." However, the government later agreed to reconsider its decision not to compensate following new evidence, though it later reiterated its firm stance.
Prime Minister Burnham, prior to becoming Prime Minister, had stated his "long support" for the Waspi campaign and expressed discomfort with politicians who supported the cause while in opposition but did not act on it in government. He drew a parallel to his support for the Hillsborough families, stating, "I'll stick by the Waspi women because they deserve some recompense for the unfairness."
Madden is hopeful that a commitment to compensation will be made within the next year, citing strong public backing for the campaign, with an estimated 80 percent of the public supporting their cause. The Waspi campaign has approximately 100,000 members and a significant social media following.
Number 10 Downing Street has acknowledged "maladministration" and offered an apology to the affected women. They stated that the DWP has learned from the ombudsman's investigation and published an action plan to improve communication regarding state pensions.