UK Denies WASPI Pension Compensation

The United Kingdom government, through the United Kingdom — Department for Work and Pensions and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, has announced for the second time that women born in the 1950s, represented by Women Against State Pension Inequality, will not receive compensation for the way changes to the state pension age were communicated. Pat McFadden apologized for delays in sending individual letters but argued that the majority of affected women were aware of the changes through other public information and that a compensation scheme, estimated to cost up to £10.3 billion, would not be fair or justifiable. This decision reiterates a previous conclusion made by former Secretary of State Liz Kendall in December 2024. The United Kingdom — Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman had previously suggested compensation between £1,000 and £2,950 per person. Angela Madden, chairwoman of Women Against State Pension Inequality, condemned the government's decision as 'utter contempt' and confirmed that Women Against State Pension Inequality is taking legal advice and exploring all avenues in Parliament and the courts to secure justice. The United Kingdom — Liberal Democrats, through Steve Darling, also expressed support for compensation.