WASPI support grows as hundreds of MPs back calls for compensation

The WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign is gaining ground with hundreds of MPs in the new Government backing the cause.

Angela Madden, chair of WASPI, gave an udpate to Express.co.uk on their work. She said: "Since the 4^th July, we have welcomed support from hundreds of Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative MPs who have reaffirmed their commitment to compensation.

"We are grateful that Wendy Chamberlain, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Works and Pensions has already tabled a motion calling for the new Government to honour the recommendations of the Ombudsman’s report."

The Lib Dems are a key group backing the campaign as the party has consistently called for payouts, and they now have 72 MPs in the Commons to voice their support.

Ms Madden explained: "The WASPI campaign has written to every MP with a thorough briefing and has welcomed many positive responses from members across the House.

"Alongside our direct correspondence, many MPs have been overwhelmed with constituents' emails in recent weeks regarding WASPI compensation, highlighting the importance and urgency of addressing this injustice."

Hopes were renewed that the 3.8 million would finally get compensation in March this year, when the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman released a long-awaited report, stating they should get payouts.

Since then, many MPs in the previous Government spoke out in support of the women, with one previous MP calling for payouts of £10,000 or more.

Ms Madden said she was pleased with the ongoing support from the Lib Dems. She commented: "The Liberal Democrats made a steadfast commitment to WASPI compensation in their manifesto and this support has continued into this new Parliament.

"We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with the party to achieve fair and fast compensation."

The campaign made some progress in Parliament since the Ombudsman's report came out, with a debate on the issue in the Commons.

A bill was also put forward to set out a compensation scheme but this only reached its second reading.

There was also support for compensation from the previous Work and Pensions Committee.

Neil Rayner, head of Advice at wealth group True Potential, said the new larger group of Liberal Democrat MPs could be a big help for the campaign.

He said: "The Liberal Democrats have consistently championed the cause of fair treatment and compensation for women born in the 1950s, who have been adversely affected by changes to the state pension age.

"In contrast, Labour, under Rachel Reeves, has shown reluctance to commit to this compensation, citing the need to ensure fiscal feasibility first.

"The Lib Dems, with their larger parliamentary party, may increase pressure on Labour to reconsider this stance, especially given the growing public support for the WASPI campaign."

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