The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign has reached a pivotal moment in their decade-long fight for compensation, with the High Court granting permission for a judicial review to challenge the Labour Government's refusal to pay out.
The group, representing 3.6 million women born in the 1950s, argues that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) failed to properly inform them of state pension age increases, costing them up to £50,000 each in lost pensions.
Despite a landmark moment in their legal battle, the government maintains that a £10.5 billion compensation scheme is not fair or proportionate to taxpayers. Can the WASPI women still secure justice?
Legal Battle Gains Momentum
In June 2025, High Court judges ruled that WASPI's case for judicial review was arguable, allowing the group to challenge the government's rejection of compensation recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).
The PHSO had found the DWP guilty of maladministration for a 28-month delay in notifying women born in the 1950s about pension age changes from 60 to 66.
The ombudsman suggested payments of £1,000 ($1350) to £2,950 ($3982) per woman, potentially costing £3.5 billion to £10.5 billion ($4.69 billion to $14.07 billion).
However, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, in December 2024, rejected this, citing the huge financial benefit to taxpayers of avoiding such costs.
WASPI chair Angela Madden told iNews, 'I'm very confident we can win,' describing the fight as a David versus Goliath situation.
The group argues that the government's claim that 90 per cent of WASPI women knew about the changes misuses survey data, as only 200 women from the 1950s were surveyed out of 1,950 respondents.
Challenges in Court
Legal experts remain cautious about WASPI's prospects. The High Court cannot mandate compensation but can rule the government's decision-making unreasonable or unlawful, potentially forcing a policy rethink.
Jonathan Compton of DMH Stallard told iNews, 'The courts will be reluctant to intervene when such major sums are at stake.'
On X, @WASPI_Campaign posted on 12 August 2025, 'The @UKLabour government says it's too costly to compensate #WASPI women, yet families, neighbourhoods and the country receive a huge financial benefit from the voluntary work we do,' highlighting their societal contributions.
The @UKLabour government says it's too costly to compensate #WASPI women, yet families, neighbourhoods and the country receive a huge financial benefit from the voluntary work we do. pic.twitter.com/Hhy2KdkKbR
— #WASPI Campaign (@WASPI_Campaign) August 12, 2025
Another post from @WASPI_Campaign on 7 August 2025 noted support from the Fawcett Society, stating, 'When the UK's leading charity for gender equality... is backing @WASPI_Campaign, why aren't you?'
When the UK's leading charity which campaigns for gender equality and women's rights, @fawcettsociety, is backing @WASPI_Campaign, why aren’t you? Stand with us, join us here https://t.co/8W92uqN144 Thank you, Fawcett Society for standing up for 3.6 million #WASPI #1950swomen pic.twitter.com/2axdnPtAPm
— #WASPI Campaign (@WASPI_Campaign) August 7, 2025
Crowdfunding and Public Support
The WASPI campaign has raised over £208,000 ($278,763) towards a £230,000 ($308,177) target to cover legal costs, with the government refusing a cost-capping order to limit fees if WASPI loses.
Madden described this refusal as an attempt to scare us away. On 11 August 2025, @WASPI_Campaign shared, 'Your photos are flooding in showing #WASPI women working, caring, volunteering... and still battling to get the compensation owed to us,' reflecting strong grassroots support.
Your photos are flooding in showing #WASPI women working, caring, volunteering, supporting charities and still battling to get the compensation owed to us. Thank you and keep them coming! https://t.co/Z57fMUd9YN
— #WASPI Campaign (@WASPI_Campaign) August 11, 2025
The campaign's persistence, backed by 90 MPs calling for a compensation debate, underscores its momentum.
Public support for WASPI women surges, with rallies planned for 20 September 2025 in London, Manchester, and Birmingham.
Social media campaigns, including viral hashtags like #WASPIJustice, amplify their demand for justice, pressuring Labour MPs to act.
A final judgement may still take weeks to come by, leaving WASPI's fight hanging in the balance.
