A majority of the British public supports compensation payouts for women born in the 1950s impacted by historic changes to the state pension age, new polling has revealed.
The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaign has lobbied MPs for years over the right to financial redress due to the consequences of state pension age equalisation between men and women.
According to the group, many women were unable to sufficiently prepare for retirement due to being inadequately informed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
In 2024, a report by the Parliament and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) determined that those affected could be entitled to a level four payout package, which ranges from £1,000 to £2,950.
The British public support Waspi compensation
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However, the ombudsman noted that it was the responsibility of Parliament to debate, determine and vote on a compensation package for Waspi women affected by the age hike.
Fresh polling data published today reveal that younger generations strongly support compensation for women affected by the state pension age change, with approximately two-thirds of Britons aged 18 to 34 believing the Government should provide financial redress to the 3.6 million women impacted.
The survey also found that 53 per cent of young adults want Parliament to hold a formal debate and vote on the compensation question. As MPs prepare to return to Westminster this week, Waspi claims the findings demonstrate significant cross-generational backing for the campaign’s demands.
Separately, 77 per cent of voters across all age groups believe those affected by official maladministration deserve redress without being forced into legal proceedings.
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Waspi campaigners have launched what they describe as a “Herculean effort” to flood parliamentary inboxes with correspondence, targeting one million letters to MPs over the coming weeks.
Should the campaign reach its goal, each Member of Parliament would receive roughly 1,500 letters on average, according to WASPI chief Angela Madden. The initiative could rank among the most significant single-issue letter-writing campaigns in British political history.
Organisers report that tens of thousands of letters have already been dispatched since the drive began last week. Ms Madden has cautioned ministers that they find themselves in the “last chance saloon” to deliver justice for affected women.
The chair of the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign, said: “These findings prove that younger people understand the importance of justice and fairness across generations.
“They recognise that when the state fails its citizens through maladministration, it must put things right, regardless of age.”
She added: “The overwhelming support from 18-34 year-olds shows they won’t accept a society where governments can simply ignore independent watchdogs and deny compensation to those who’ve been wronged.”
Ms Madden warned that with the Government having acknowledged its legal position was indefensible, ministers must choose between delivering justice or facing sustained pressure from voters demanding accountability.
Ministers agreed in December to reconsider all evidence regarding WASPI compensation by the end of February 2026, giving them a 12-week window to review the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report.
Angela Madden said that they are remaining hopeful
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The Government also committed to covering more than half of Waspi’s legal costs as part of the agreement.
This settlement followed ministers’ acknowledgment in November that “new evidence” had surfaced, although it was later revealed to be a DWP survey from 2007.
Waspi supporters have raised over £250,000 to finance their legal battle, which had been scheduled for High Court hearings on December 9 and 10 before the last-minute deal.
Members of the public are encouraged to write to their MP and check their support status.