Waspi Compensation Update 2023 – What You Need to Know About the State Pension Age Dispute
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If you are a woman born in the 1950s, you may have been affected by the changes in the state pension age that were introduced by the government in 1995 and 2011. These changes increased the state pension age for women from 60 to 66, without giving them enough notice or information to plan for their retirement. As a result, many women have faced financial hardship, poverty, and discrimination in their later years.
This is why a group of women, known as the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), have been campaigning for justice and compensation from the government. They claim that they were not properly informed about the changes and that they have been unfairly treated by the system.
In this article, we will give you an update on the latest developments in the WASPI compensation update 2023, and what you need to know if you are one of the affected women. We will also explain how the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is investigating the complaints of the WASPI women, and what the possible outcomes and implications are for their claim.
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One of the main avenues for WASPI women to seek compensation from the government is through the PHSO, which is an independent body that handles complaints about public services. The PHSO can investigate whether the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) failed to communicate the changes in the state pension age to the affected women and whether this caused them injustice or hardship.
The PHSO started its investigation in 2019, after receiving thousands of complaints from the WASPI women. However, the process has been delayed several times due to various reasons, such as the general election, the coronavirus pandemic, and the complexity of the case. The PHSO has divided the investigation into six stages, each focusing on a different group of women based on their date of birth.
The latest update from the PHSO, published in March 2023, stated that they have completed the first stage of the investigation, which covers the women born in the 1950s who were affected by the 1995 Pensions Act. The PHSO found that the DWP had acted unlawfully and mal -administratively in its communication with these women and that they had suffered a gross injustice. The PHSO recommended that the government should apologise to these women and pay them compensation for the loss of income and the distress caused by the changes.
The PHSO also stated that they are working on the second stage of the investigation, which covers the women born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1953 who were affected by the 2011 Pensions Act. The PHSO expects to publish its findings at this stage by the end of 2023. The remaining four stages of the investigation will cover the women born between 6 April 1953 and 5 December 1959, who were also affected by the 2011 Pensions Act. The PHSO has not given a timeline for these stages but has assured that they are working as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
The PHSO investigation is a crucial step for the WASPI women to get justice and compensation for the state pension age changes. However, it is not the only option available to them. In the next section, we will explore some of the other ways that the WASPI women can pursue their claim, and what the challenges and opportunities are for their campaign.
The PHSO investigation is not the only way for the WASPI women to claim compensation for the state pension age changes. There are other legal and political avenues that the WASPI women can explore, such as:
This is a process where a court can review the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body, such as the government or the DWP. The WASPI compensation update 2023 has attempted to challenge the state pension age changes through judicial review, but so far they have been unsuccessful.
In 2019, the High Court dismissed the claim of two WASPI compensation update 2023, which argued that the changes were discriminatory and unlawful. In 2020, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision, stating that the changes did not amount to discrimination or a breach of human rights. The WASPI women have applied for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court, but it is not clear whether they will be granted or not.
This is a way for the public to express their views and request action from the government or the Parliament on a specific issue. The WASPI compensation update 2023 has launched several petitions on the Parliament’s website, calling for fair transitional arrangements and compensation for the affected women. The most recent petition, which closed in March 2023, gathered over 200,000 signatures and triggered a debate in the Parliament. However, the government has maintained its position that it will not offer any compensation or concessions to the WASPI women, citing the cost and complexity of doing so.
This is a way for the public to influence the decisions and actions of the government or the Parliament by lobbying, campaigning, protesting, or voting. The WASPI women have been very active and vocal in raising awareness and support for their cause, both online and offline. They have organised rallies, marches, demonstrations, and events across the country, and have contacted their MPs, ministers, and media outlets.
They have also formed alliances with other groups and organisations that share their goals, such as Backto60, Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI), and Pension Justice for Women. Some political parties, such as the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish National Party, have expressed their sympathy and solidarity with the WASPI women, and have pledged to address their grievances if they come to power.
The WASPI women have shown remarkable resilience and determination in their fight for justice and compensation. They have not given up hope, despite the setbacks and challenges they have faced. They have also inspired and empowered many other women and men who have been affected by the state pension age changes, or who face similar issues of inequality and injustice. The WASPI women’s campaign is not only about money, but also about dignity, respect, and fairness.
It’s crucial for WASPI women and their allies to remain updated on the ongoing progress and persist in advocating for equitable compensation.
The anticipated unveiling of the PHSO’s conclusive report in early 2024 marks a pivotal juncture. This release holds the potential to create a path towards financial restitution for these women affected by the alterations in the state pension age, addressing the injustices they’ve faced.
We have given you an WASPI compensation update 2023, and what you need to know if you are one of the affected women. We have also explained the different ways that the WASPI women can pursue their claim, and what the prospects and difficulties are for their campaign. We hope that this article has been informative and helpful for you. If you want to learn more about the WASPI women’s campaign, or if you want to join or support them, you can visit their website or follow them on social media. Thank you for reading.
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