Yahoo News WASPI campaigners issue update as they celebrate 'fantastic achievement'
Campaigners who are fighting for compensation for women affected by an increase in the state pension age have hailed a "fantastic achievement".
The WASPI organisation - which stands for Women Against State Pension Inequality - has been campaigning for fair payments after the government ombudsman ruled against the government earlier this year. The ruling followed the increases to the state pension age which affected an estimated 3.6 million women.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman published its report in March this year concluding the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was guilty of "maladministration" and saying the women affected should get payouts of between £1,000 and £2,950 which would could put the bill at up to £10.5bn.
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WASPI subsequently launched a petition which this weekend passed the crucial 100,000 signatures mark. This means that the government will now have to consider holding a debate of the issues raised in the petition.
In the petition, WASPI said: "We call on the Government to fairly compensate WASPI women affected by the increases to their State Pension age and the associated failings in DWP communications."
WASPI campaigners have now thanked all those who have signed the petition. On Facebook the group posted: "Fantastic achievement and well done all who signed. It's not to late, you can add your support to the petition here."
One woman commented: "Well done to all of us, just shows what we can achieve when we all pull together. We will all benefit sooner or later!"
Another added "let's show this government we will fight for justice" while a third wrote "Many congratulations. Fingers crossed for an urgent and successful conclusion to this long long fight. Many, many thanks to all those who have steadfastly campaigned to get to this point".
