WASPI Court Case Update: How Much Are Women Suing the UK Government for—and Why?

The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, representing 3.6 million women born in the 1950s, is locked in a legal battle with the UK Government over changes to the state pension age.

These women, expecting pensions at 60, faced delays of up to six years due to equalisation with men's retirement age, poorly communicated by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

A 23 June 2025 High Court ruling has capped WASPI's potential legal costs at £60,000 ($81,000), protecting the group from financial ruin if their judicial review fails.

With a potential £10.5 billion ($14.2 billion) compensation bill at stake, here's why WASPI is suing and what's next.

Demand Justice for Poor Communication

The WASPI campaign argues that the DWP's failure to adequately inform women about pension age changes from 60 to 65, and later 66, caused significant financial hardship.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) report in March 2024 found the DWP guilty of maladministration, citing a 28-month delay in notifying women, which disrupted retirement planning.

The report recommended compensation of £1,000 to £2,950 ($1,358 to $4,006) per woman, totaling up to £10.5 billion ($14.2 billion). Some women, like Shirley Kearney, discovered the change just 18 months before turning 60, forcing them to work longer or face poverty.

WASPI's judicial review, launched in April 2025, challenges Labour's December 2024 decision to reject these payouts, claiming it's unlawful.

Rally Support to Fund the Fight

Funding this legal battle has been a hurdle, but WASPI has raised £225,000 ($305,625) through crowdfunding, with £79,000 ($107,308) collected in a single day, as noted in posts on X.

The High Court's 23 June 2025 cost-capping order ensures WASPI won't face crippling government legal bills, which could have reached hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Angela Madden, WASPI's chair, called this a 'landmark moment,' allowing the case to proceed toward a full hearing.

The Guardian reported on 24 February 2025 that the group's legal team argues the government's refusal breaches basic legal principles.

However, critics on X question the campaign's merits, suggesting many women knew of the changes by 2006, making the £10.5 billion ($14.2 billion) claim contentious.

Push for Political Accountability

The case has sparked political fire. WASPI warns that up to 150 Labour MPs, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, risk losing seats if compensation is denied, citing their slim majorities against thousands of affected women per constituency.

BBC News reported on 24 February 2025 that Labour's rejection, led by Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, hinges on claims that 90% of women knew of the changes, making the cost unjustifiable.

Yet, ten Labour MPs defied Starmer in January 2025, supporting an SNP bill for payouts, risking party discipline.

Fight for Fairness Endures

The WASPI campaign's High Court progress on 23 June 2025 marks a critical step toward justice for 3.6 million women wronged by the DWP's failures.

Seeking up to £10.5 billion ($14.2 billion) to compensate for lost pension years, their fight exposes a system that left women financially stranded.

With legal costs capped and public support swelling, WASPI's resolve strengthens, but the government's resistance signals a tough road ahead.

By backing this cause, we honour those who've waited too long for fairness. The courtroom may decide the outcome, but the public's voice can tip the scales, justice delayed is justice denied.