The Waspi campaign—a group of women born in the 1950s—is celebrating a big win in their ongoing legal battle against the UK government. A court has just agreed to something called a “costs capping order.”
What does that mean? In simple terms, it limits how much money the group would have to pay if they lose the case. Without it, they might have had to quit the fight altogether.
Now, instead of worrying about possibly owing hundreds of thousands of pounds, they know the maximum they’d need to pay is £60,000. That’s still a lot—but it’s manageable.
And if the Waspi group wins, the government (specifically the Department for Work and Pensions, or DWP) will only have to pay up to £90,000 of Waspi’s legal fees. This agreement makes the legal battle a lot safer for the women involved.
What’s the Waspi Campaign All About?
The Waspi group stands for Women Against State Pension Inequality. These women were born in the 1950s and were hit hard by sudden changes to the state pension age. Many didn’t know their retirement age had gone up until it was too late. They couldn’t prepare in time—and it threw their lives into chaos.
A government group called the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) looked into the issue and said, “Yes, the DWP messed up. A lot of women weren’t told properly.” The PHSO even suggested that the government pay the women some money to make up for the mistake.
But the DWP said no. They refused to pay any compensation, which is what led the Waspi group to take them to court.
Why This Court Order Matters So Much
Going to court can be super expensive—especially when you’re up against the government. The Waspi group worried that if they lost the case, they’d be stuck with a massive legal bill that they simply couldn’t afford.
Angela Madden, who leads the campaign, said it clearly: “Without this order, we could’ve gone broke. The financial risk was just too big.” Thanks to the new ruling, the group now feels safe enough to keep fighting.
The Public Is On Their Side
And here’s the thing—most people agree with them. A survey found that about 74% of people think the women should get fair compensation, and 76% think Members of Parliament should get to vote on it. That’s a lot of support.
Angela Madden said this is “the fight of our lives.” She also said their legal team is strong, but it takes time, skill, and money to win a case like this. That’s why they’re asking the public to keep backing them.
What the Government Is Saying
The DWP isn’t saying much—because the case is still going on. But they did say they’re sorry for a 28-month delay in writing to the women about the pension changes. Still, they don’t believe they should pay any money, and they disagree with the ombudsman’s findings.
So, What Happens Next?
The costs capping order gives Waspi a real shot at justice. They can keep going without being crushed by legal costs. And it sends a message: people can take on the system when something isn’t right. It’s not just about pensions—it’s about fairness and speaking up when something feels wrong.
Conclusion
The Waspi women just scored a big win in court, and it means they can keep pushing for justice without risking everything they have. They’re fighting not just for themselves but for fairness and better treatment from the government.
The court’s decision gives them the confidence to move forward, but they still need support from the public to carry on this tough but important journey. With thousands of women affected and public opinion on their side, this battle is far from over—and it matters now more than ever.
FAQ’s
Q1: What does the Waspi campaign want?
A: They want fair compensation for women born in the 1950s who weren’t properly told their pension age was changing.
Q2: What is a costs capping order?
A: It’s a court rule that limits how much money Waspi would have to pay if they lose the case, helping them avoid huge legal bills.
Q3: Is the government paying any money now?
A: No, the government has not agreed to pay any compensation yet, but the legal fight is still going on.
