Dozens of MPs have urged DWP ministers to meet with WASPI campaigners ahead of a legal challenge.

The Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign (WASPI) have said it is the “last chance saloon” for the UK Government to think again on its stance over State Pension age compensation. An estimated 3.5 million 1950s-born women across the UK missed out on State Pension payments after increases to the official age of retirement by successive governments.

WASPI reported earlier this year that a two-day showdown in court between campaigners and senior UK Government lawyers will begin on December 9, 2025. Representatives from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will appear in the High Court to defend the UK Government’s response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) final report into State Pension age changes, published in March 2024.

Ministers responded to the landmark report in December 2024 and accepted wrongdoing but refused to pay any compensation to any of the affected women.

READ MORE: DWP financial support for 1950s-born women impacted by State Pension age changesREAD MORE: State Pension uprating will not be paid to thousands of older people next year

And now some 100 MPs from across the Commons, including 52 Labour MPs, have called for a U-turn from the DWP.

The fresh calls for a rethink come as Labour Work and Pensions ministers continue to dodge demands to meet with WASPI campaigners ahead of a landmark legal challenge.

Following a WASPI Parliamentary drop-in exclusively for MPs this week, campaigners said many Labour MPs were “absolutely furious” with the UK Government’s handling of the “pensions fiasco”.

DWP ministers last met with WASPI representatives more than a year ago, in early September 2024.

Legal action could now see the DWP forced back to the drawing board on their response to the PHSO’s report, which stated that “Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy” and recommended compensation equivalent to level four on its banding scale, which is worth between £1,000 and £2,950.

Last week, deputy leadership candidate Lucy Powell told LBC News that failing to compensate WASPI women was one of the Labour Government’s “big mistakes”.

Angela Madden, Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) said: “We know many Labour MPs are still absolutely furious with the Government’s failure to compensate WASPI women. It is having a real impact on the doorstep, given those affected are a cohort that turns out and votes, with significant levels of support being lost both to left-wing parties and Reform.

“WASPI stands ready for constructive dialogue with ministers – the ball is now in the DWP’s court.

“It really is the last chance saloon for the Government, before they risk being forced to defend the indefensible in court within a matter of weeks.”

Addressing those affected directly, Labour MPs have vowed to continue supporting WASPI’s fight for justice.

Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labour MP for Salford and Co-Chair of the State Pension Inequality for Women APPG, said: “An injustice is an injustice. It must be put right. The 1950s women will never give up so neither will I!”

Ben Goldsborough, Labour MP for South Norfolk, said: “WASPI women deserve justice. No more delays. No more reviews. We need ACTION now.”

Olivia Blake MP, Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam, said: “The WASPI campaign has been determined to right the wrong that impacts so many women. They deserve justice and compensation.”

Andy McDonald, Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said: “It is vitally important that government maintains a dialogue with campaigners. The ombudsman came to a judgement and it is a grave injustice that has not been honoured.”

If successful, the High Court could force ministers back to the drawing board to reconsider the PHSO’s report, however, it’s important to be aware the court is unable to directly force the DWP to compensate WASPI women.

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