For 1950s-born women, International Women’s Day 2024 (Friday, 8th March) has been yet another day without justice.
Another year waiting to be compensated for the mismanagement of life-impacting State Pension age changes by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Campaigning for redress
Since 2015 the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) Campaign has been campaigning for redress. In 2021, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) – the Government’s own watchdog – found the DWP guilty of Maladministration for its failure to properly communicate State Pension age changes that have meant WASPI women waiting as much as six years longer than expected for their SP.
This is in the context of historic inequality in pay and private pension opportunities that means far more women than men have to rely on the SP for their retirement income.
Stage 2 report withdrawn for being legally flawed
Following a legal challenge from WASPI, the PHSO conceded his Stage 2 report examining the injustice caused by the DWP’s Maladministration was legally flawed and withdrew it.
We do not know when it will now be published. But in the meantime, more WASPI women will die waiting for this scandal to be resolved.
To date, that number exceeds 270,000. That is sad and totally avoidable. The Government does not need to wait for further reports. It could resolve this injustice now. To its shame, it chooses not to.
The Government must do right by women
As we mark another IWD without justice, our resolve is as strong as ever. The Government must do right by women who have contributed so much to this country but were badly let down on the cusp of expected, and carefully planned for, retirement.
By 2026 the rise in women’s State Pension age will have saved the Government a huge £181.4 billion. Some of that vast amount could be used to pay long overdue compensation.
“Invest in Women: accelerate progress”
This year’s IWD theme is “Invest in Women: accelerate progress”. This International Women’s Day, Solent & Isle of Wight WASPI calls on the Government to invest in WASPI women.
Compensate us and accelerate progress to a fair resolution of this scandal.
News shared by Shelagh on behalf of Solent WASPI. Ed
