The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign is advocating for swift and just compensation for women affected by poor communication about changes to the state pension age in the UK. They are seeking a simple and clear compensation scheme that accounts for individual impacts, as reported by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Campaign director Angela Madden has highlighted the adverse financial consequences, including erroneous divorce settlements, that resulted from the miscommunication.

In response to the ombudsman’s finding of maladministration, compensation ranging from £1,000 to £2,950 has been proposed. However, Waspi campaigners have criticized these amounts as insufficient given the severity of the impact on affected women. The campaigners are urging Parliament to ensure the compensation reflects the injustice experienced.

Addressing the Work and Pensions Committee, Madden emphasized the necessity for an apology from the Department for Work and Pensions along with a commitment to rectifying the issue. The issue stems from changes to the state pension age starting from 1995, which were poorly communicated to the women impacted, according to the ombudsman’s report. The campaign continues to push for a resolution that adequately compensates the affected women and acknowledges the failures in communication.