Waspi campaigners say they have secured a vital legal safeguard in their bid for a High Court challenge over the handling of state pension age changes that affected millions of women born in the 1950s.
The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group is seeking a judicial review to force the Government to reconsider its refusal to offer compensation.
The campaign argues that the way state pension age changes were communicated caused widespread financial harm and hardship.
On Monday, Waspi confirmed that a legal cap has been placed on their liability for the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) defence costs.
The DWP has agreed to what’s known as a costs capping order, which limits how much either side would need to pay if they lose. Waspi said this gives them the confidence to press ahead with legal proceedings.
Their case has already been deemed arguable, which sets them on course for a potential court hearing.
Waspi said the agreement limits their exposure to government legal costs to £60,000, but fundraising efforts are still ongoing.
The group is asking supporters to contribute to its legal "fighting fund" to cover both the capped liability and the cost of their legal team.
The Waspi women have campaigned for compensation in the wake of DWP "maladministration" in its handling of pension age changes GETTYAngela Madden, chairwoman of Waspi, said: "Without this safeguard, we faced a real risk of financial ruin – of effectively being silenced by the threat of Government legal bills running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
"We now have the certainty we need to press on – but the costs of fighting this case remain very real."
She added: "This is the fight of our lives."
Waspi women seek compensation from the Labour government due to DWP "maladministration"Getty ImagesThe legal challenge comes after a report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) suggested compensation between £1,000 and £2,950 could be appropriate for each of the women affected.
In December 2024, however, the Government formally rejected the idea of a blanket compensation scheme, arguing it could cost taxpayers up to £10.5 billion.
While ministers accepted the PHSO’s finding of maladministration and apologised for the delay in informing 1950s-born women about pension changes, they insisted that large-scale payouts were unjustified.
Waspi submitted legal arguments earlier this year challenging that decision
PAWaspi submitted legal arguments earlier this year challenging that decision, saying that proper redress is still owed.
A spokesperson for the DWP said: "We do not comment on live litigation.
"We 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."
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