The Government has confirmed it will not introduce a compensation scheme for women affected by changes to the state pension age, bringing the long-running WASPI issue to a close.
Ministers said they have completed their consideration of the findings from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and will not be taking the matter any further.
The decision affects women born in the 1950s whose state pension age rose from 60 to 66. Campaigners argue many were not properly informed of the changes, leaving them unable to plan financially for retirement.
According to figures from Women Against State Pension Inequality, there are 5,240 WASPI women in Erewash.
What the Government said
The Ombudsman previously found that the Department for Work and Pensions committed maladministration in how pension age changes were communicated.
However, the Government said it does not accept that the communication failures resulted in the type of direct financial loss that would justify compensation. Ministers confirmed that the matter has now been fully considered and that no compensation scheme will be introduced.
Reaction from campaigners
WASPI campaigners have described the decision as deeply disappointing, arguing that many women were given little or no personal notice of significant changes to their retirement plans.
The campaign has said it will continue to press the issue through political pressure and possible legal routes, but today’s announcement effectively closes the door on compensation through government action.
Local impact
For women in Erewash, the decision brings an end to years of uncertainty over whether compensation would be paid.
Campaigners say the issue remains one of fairness and accountability, while the Government maintains that the pension age changes were lawful and that compensation is not justified.
All information referenced is in the public domain.