The UK government has announced a review of its previous decision to deny compensation to millions of women affected by changes to the state pension age. This development offers renewed hope to the 3.6 million "Waspi women" born in the 1950s, who claim they were inadequately informed about the pension age adjustments that aligned women's retirement age with men's.

Background and Government Response

The controversy stems from the 1995 Pensions Act, which gradually raised the state pension age for women from 60 to 66, matching that of men. Campaigners argue that the lack of timely communication left many women financially disadvantaged. Last year, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommended compensation ranging from £1,000 to £2,950 per individual. However, the government dismissed this recommendation, citing no evidence of direct financial loss and prioritizing public service improvements over the estimated £10.5 billion payout.

New Evidence and Legal Proceedings

The decision to revisit the compensation denial follows the emergence of a 2007 survey that was not previously considered by Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary at the time. Current Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden informed the Commons that while the decision will be re-evaluated, it does not imply a commitment to financial redress. The government has communicated this development to the High Court, where a judicial review initiated by Waspi campaigners is set to commence in December.

Campaigners' Reactions and Future Steps

Angela Madden, chair of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign, expressed cautious optimism, urging the government to expedite the process and compensate those affected. Despite the government's reassessment, senior Whitehall sources suggest that the new evidence may not significantly alter the original decision. The Waspi campaign continues to advocate for compensation of at least £10,000 per individual, highlighting the financial chaos caused by the pension age changes.