WASPI campaigners are continuing to call for compensation (Image: Getty)
The DWP has responded to a query about setting up compensation for 1950s-born women affected by the WASPI issue for a region of the UK.
WASPI campaigners (Women Against Inequality) were frustrated in their long-standing campaign last month, when the Government said there would be no compensation payouts.
The women were affected when the age increased from 60 to 65 and then to 66, claiming they were not properly advised of the change with many not knowing they would have to wait years longer for their payouts.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman said there was ‘maladministration’ in how the communicated the change, and recommended payouts of between £1,000 and £2,950 in a report in March last year.
But Labour work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, told Parliament in December that there would be no scheme for payouts, arguing it would be a poor use of taxpayer funds.
Following the decision, SDLP MP Colum Eastwood asked the Government if about having a compensation scheme for Northern Ireland.
He asked Ms Kendall if “her department has made an estimate of the annual cost of implementing a compensation scheme for affected women in Northern Ireland”.
Pensions minister Emma Reynolds said in response: “The is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland. These matters are the responsibility of the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.”
The Department for Communities has been contacted for comment. MPs will discuss the case for compensation this week, with a debate to take place in Westminster Hall on Wednesday, January 15.
Many MPs have previously backed call for compensation, with the Liberal Democrats, the and the Green Party, taking it up as party policy.
Don’t miss…
Early day motions have also been set up since Labour announced the decision not to compensate, urging for this to be reversed.
The WASPI cause will also get an airing this week as on the issue in Westminster Hall, with WASPI campaigners to attend to watch the proceedings. This will be held on Wednesday, January 15.
The WASPI campaigners will also be before the Work and Pensions Committee later this month, on January 22.
WASPI campaign chair, Angela Madden, said: “That will be an opportunity for us to talk to the committee about what are our options now, what we would like to happen now.
“The select committee is part of the Government process. They are the people who hold the Department of Work and Pensions to account. A letter from them or a request from them has to be taken seriously by the department.”