Waspi Women Will Not Receive Any Compensation, UK Government Announces

Waspi Women Pension Latest News Today December 2024

Here are the keypoints of latest news about waspi womens.

  • No Compensation for WASPI Women: The UK Government has announced that women affected by changes to the state pension age will not receive any financial compensation, rejecting recommendations from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) which suggested payments of £1,000 to £2,950 per person.
  • Government’s Rationale: Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall stated that the government believes most women were aware of the changes to the state pension age, which informed their decision against a compensation scheme. She emphasized that a blanket compensation scheme could cost taxpayers up to £10.5 billion, which they deemed unfair.
  • Background of the Issue: The controversy stems from the 1995 Pensions Act which gradually raised the state pension age for women from 60 to 66. Changes were accelerated in 2010, leading to claims that many women were not adequately informed about these changes, resulting in financial hardship.
  • Responses from Campaigners: Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) expressed disappointment, arguing that millions of women have suffered due to inadequate communication regarding their pension rights. They had campaigned for compensation after experiencing significant disruptions to their retirement plans.
  • Political Reactions: The announcement has sparked criticism from various political figures and groups, with some MPs calling it a “day of shame” and highlighting the government’s failure to heed the recommendations of an independent watchdog

Sources: STV News

What Alternatives Did UK Government Purpose Instead Of Compensation?

The UK Government did not propose specific alternatives to compensation for the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaigners. Instead, they focused on justifying their decision not to implement a compensation scheme based on the belief that most affected women were aware of the changes to the state pension age.

waspi women pension news

What Were The Key Findings of Ombudsman’s Report?

The key findings of the Ombudsman’s report regarding the state pension age changes for women, particularly those born in the 1950s, included the following:

  • Maladministration Identified: The report concluded that there was maladministration in how the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) communicated the changes to the state pension age, which significantly affected many women who were not adequately informed about the adjustments.
  • Compensation Recommendation: It recommended that affected women receive compensation ranging from £1,000 to £2,950 for the injustices they suffered due to the lack of proper communication. This figure was lower than the previously suggested £10,000 by other advocacy groups.
  • Need for Apology: The Ombudsman also stated that an apology should be issued to those affected, acknowledging the distress and disruption caused by the inadequate communication regarding pension age changes.

Who Are Waspi Women?

Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) refers to a group of women primarily born in the 1950s who have been adversely affected by changes to the state pension age in the UK

Note: All the information has been taken from the top news channels and the research of top notched journalists and then its being compiled up into this kind of post.

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