Ten Years of the WASPI Campaign – A Decade of Determination

This month marks the tenth anniversary of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign – ten years of sustained effort to secure justice for millions of women affected by changes to the State Pension age. The Northern Region of the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) has supported the WASPI campaign throughout and continues to do so.

Background to the Campaign

The WASPI campaign began in 2015, in response to changes to the State Pension age for women born in the 1950s. These changes, legislated for in the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011, accelerated the equalisation of the State Pension age between men and women and increased the State Pension age further.

WASPI has consistently stated that its campaign is not against the equalisation of the pension age, but against the way these changes were implemented. Many women were not given sufficient notice to adjust their retirement plans, which, for some, resulted in unexpected financial hardship. The campaign has called for fair and proportionate transitional arrangements for those affected.

Key Facts – Ten Years of WASPI

According to WASPI, the ten years of the campaign have involved:

• Two different Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsmen overseeing the complaint – the longest and most complex investigation in the office’s history.
• Nine separate governments.
• Ten different Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions.
• 3.6 million women in the UK affected by the State Pension age changes.

Legal Action and Fundraising

Over the past decade, the WASPI campaign has undertaken three major fundraising appeals via CrowdJustice:

1. 2016 Appeal – Raised over £100,000 to obtain legal advice and submit formal complaints to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which were later taken to the Parliamentary Ombudsman.
2. 2023 Appeal – Raised over £162,000. This funding allowed the campaign to challenge the Ombudsman’s report and secure what WASPI describes as “significant improvements” in its recommendations.
3. Current Appeal (Ongoing) – Has so far raised more than £240,000. These funds have enabled WASPI to apply to the High Court for a Judicial Review, with the aim of requiring the Ombudsman to ensure the Government makes a lawful decision in relation to the complaint.

The Present Situation

WASPI has confirmed that it is now awaiting a firm date for the Judicial Review hearing. The hearing is expected to take place in December 2025. Once the exact date is confirmed, it will be announced by the campaign.

The outcome of the Judicial Review could determine whether the Ombudsman’s findings and recommendations must be revisited and whether the Government is required to take further action.

Ten Years of Campaigning

Since its formation, WASPI has undertaken a sustained programme of campaigning activity. This has included:

• Meeting MPs and ministers to highlight the impact of the pension age changes.
• Organising demonstrations and rallies across the UK.
• Maintaining a consistent media presence to raise public awareness.
• Sharing personal testimonies from affected women to show the real-world consequences of the changes.

To mark its tenth anniversary, WASPI is using its social media channels to publish photographs and short biographies of individual campaigners, highlighting the ongoing contribution these women make to society alongside their campaigning efforts.

Support from NPC Northern Region

The Northern Region NPC has consistently recognised the importance of the WASPI campaign and the need to address the issues raised. Many of the affected women live in communities across the North East – including former mining areas, shipbuilding towns, and other working-class communities where economic challenges have already been significant.

As part of our continued support, NPC Northern Region has invited Christine Smith – a prominent WASPI campaigner – to join our delegation to meet with the North East Combined Authority. This will provide an opportunity to reinforce the message at a regional level and to ensure decision-makers are fully aware of the impact of the pension age changes.

Why This Matters

For the 3.6 million women affected, the issue is not simply one of financial adjustment – it is about fairness, recognition, and accountability. The way the State Pension age changes were implemented left many without sufficient time to make informed financial decisions. In some cases, this has led to women working longer than planned despite health issues, or drawing down savings and pensions earlier than intended.

The campaign has maintained that a fair remedy is both necessary and achievable, and that it should reflect the hardship and distress caused by the DWP’s failure to provide adequate notice.

How Members and Supporters Can Help

NPC Northern Region members, along with all supporters of the WASPI campaign, can assist in several ways:

1. Stay informed – Follow WASPI’s official updates and the NPC Northern Region’s communications.
2. Share information – Use personal and social networks to raise awareness of the campaign.
3. Support fundraising efforts – Legal action is costly, and contributions help sustain the campaign’s work.
4. Contact elected representatives – Write to MPs and regional leaders to ensure the issue remains on the political agenda.
5. Engage locally – Attend events, rallies, and meetings organised by WASPI or supporting organisations.

Looking Ahead

The Judicial Review scheduled for later this year will be a key point in the campaign’s timeline. Whatever the outcome, WASPI has made it clear that it will continue to pursue a fair resolution for those affected.

The NPC Northern Region will maintain its commitment to supporting the WASPI women. We believe that pensioners, and those approaching pension age, should be treated with fairness, transparency, and respect. The fight for justice for the WASPI women is an important part of that wider mission.

In solidarity,
NPC Northern Region

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