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WASPI campaigners have issued a fresh call for the Government to take action as Labour announces another policy reversal.

Ministers have announced that a proposed policy to tighten the eligibility for PIP (Personal Independence Payment) will only apply to new claimants, rather than to all people on the benefit.

This comes after the Government also had to partly amend its policy on the Winter Fuel Payment,so that more people will qualify for the payment next winter, after it significantly reduced the eligibility for last winter's payment.

WASPI campaign (Women Against State Pension Inequality) chair Angela Madden took the opportunity of another case of Labour changing its mind to suggest they should do the same with the WASPI debacle, and finally provide compensation.

She said: "Winter fuel and the PIP are but two of Labour's major political mistakes and betrayals. Compensation to WASPI women should now make for a hat trick of u-turns.

"The independent Ombudsman's report was clear in endorsing compensation for 1950s women. Ministers should stop wasting taxpayers' money fighting us in court and agree to honour that recommendation."

The background to the WASPI campaign

The WASPI campaign represents 1950s-born women who were affected when the state pension age increased from 60 to 65 and then 66 for women.

They claim they were not properly informed of the change by the DWP, with many unaware of the change, ruining their retirement plans.

Their case has been vindicated previously by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, who found there was 'maladministration' in the DWP's efforts to communicate the change.

A report by the Ombudsman suggested the DWP should provide payouts ranging from £1,000 to £2,950, but Labour announced at the end of last year there would be no compensation scheme.

Despite this setback, the WASPI campaign are continuing in their fight for financial redress. They have asked for a judicial review of the Government's decision, which the high court has agreed to take on.

'We need more MP support'

However, even if they can secure a court victory this would only overturn the Government's decision; it would not guarantee compensation.

Ms Madden said: "It doesn't matter even if we win the case, the Government probably still won't want to pay what they should or what has been recommended.

"What we are hoping is that more and more MPs will come across to the side of what is right to be done, rather than voting with the Government."

A DWP spokesperson said previously about the judicial review: "We do not comment on live litigation. We accept the Ombudsman's finding of maladministration and have apologised for there being a 28-month delay in writing to 1950s-born women.

"However, we do not agree with the Ombudsman's approach to injustice or remedy and that is why we have decided not to pay compensation."

Many individual MPs back the WASPI campaign, with some political parties also calling for compensation, including the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party.

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