Waspi stands for Women Against State Pension Injustice and represents 3.8million 1950s women hit by moves to bring their retirement age into line with men. They’ve been fighting for compensation for almost a decade and plan to make their voices heard during the general election.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a snap election was a blow for Waspis, who were just weeks away from discovering if they would get compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950.
Now they’re fighting on and want the two parties to show their true colours on this issue. They reckon backing the Waspi cause could make a real difference to who wins on July 4.
Waspi women are displaying bold, coloured posters in their windows saying: “A voting WASPI women lives here who is fighting for compensation.”
This makes it clear to canvassers that the occupant’s top priority will be the position of the parties on the recommendations made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).
Waspi women make up one in 12 voters in the average constituency and a recent survey found that 60 percent had not yet made up their minds who to vote for.
In 2021, the PHSO ruled that the Department for Work and Pensions was guilty of “maladministration” by failing to alert 1950s women that they would have to work for five or six years longer than they originally anticipated.
Waspis say they lost up to £50,000 each in state pension, with many force to work on despite failing health or scrape by on savings and benefits if unable to do so.
Almost 300,000 have died without receiving a penny in state pension. Yet the DWP has stood by its decision and has been reluctant to pay compensation.
The Lib Dems, SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party have all indicated support for Waspi compensation. Neither the Conservative Party nor Labour Party has, and they’re the parties that count.
Labour leader Keir Starmer indicated two years ago that he backed Waspi women, but as I wrote last week, he’s gone very quiet on the subject lately.
On May 31, Starmer criticised the Tories for failing to act on the PHSO’s report but declined to commit himself merely saying: “I’m going to look at the Ombudsman’s recommendations if we’re privileged to come into power.”
National chair of the Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) campaign Hilary Simpson, from Cricklade in the South Cotswolds constituency, said Waspi women are “acutely aware” that neither party has committed to honouring the Ombudsman’s recommendations.
“Canvassers should be prepared for some tough questions on the doorstep, as there are more than 5,000 Waspi women in the average constituency. Our age group is also the most likely to actually turn out and vote.”
While compensation is important, Simpson stressed that it’s not the only issue at stake. “If the two main parties can’t be trusted to implement the recommendations in the Ombudsman’s report – laid before Parliament after an investigation lasting many years – what can they be trusted to do?”
Simpson said cynicism among Waspi voters is at an all-time high. “Especially when party leaders quote platitudes about peace of mind and security for pensioners. This is precisely what was taken away from the Waspi generation.”
Waspi vice chair Dilys Jouvenat from Gelli in the Rhondda and Ogmore constituency said posters are being downloaded like hot cakes. “It’s vitally important that candidates from all parties understand what has happened to Waspi women, why this issue is so important to and why compensation should be paid.”
Members have been sending regular newsletters called the WASPI BUZZ to candidates of all parties to make sure they are briefed, she added.
Judith Robertson from the Salford constituency said: “The poster not only makes the issue clear to canvassers. It also raises awareness amongst passers-by.”
Janet Blackman from Seaford in the Lewes constituency added: “I feel so strongly about the need for all parties to abide by the Ombudsman’s recommendations. Not to do so would call into question their integrity, trustworthiness and their attitude towards justice.”
With passions running high, any canvasser knocking on a Waspi woman’s door needs to have their answers ready.
