WASPI accuses Keir Starmer of spreading ‘harmful misinformation’ as row deepens

Furious WASPI campaigners have accused Keir Starmer of spreading “dangerous misinformation” and said they are taking fresh legal advice.

The PM is under fire after the Government ruled out payouts to over 3.5million women affected by the pension age scandal. He rejected an independent watchdog’s call to award between £1,000 and £2,995 to 1950s-born women because of maladminstration.

Responding to a question by veteran Labour MP Diana Abbott, Mr Starmer claimed 90% of women impacted by the state pension age going up were aware it was happening. WASPI claims this isn’t true – saying nine in 10 only had a “vague awareness” the pension age was rising in the future.

Angela Madden, who chairs the campaign, said: “This isn’t just misleading; it’s an insult to millions of 1950s-born women who were blindsided by these changes. The Ombudsman’s findings were based on rigorous evidence showing that 60% of women had no idea their own State Pension age was rising.

“The Government’s attempt to cherry-pick data to suggest otherwise is spreading dangerous misinformation, plain and simple.”

In March the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman called on Parliament to urgently deliver payouts to affected women. The Government rejected this, despite admitting maladministration within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Mrs Madden continued: “The fact that 90% of women had some general awareness of potential changes in the future does not mean they knew this would impact them personally.

“That is exactly why the Ombudsman identified maladministration and why this Government’s continued attempts to muddy the waters are so unacceptable.”

Addressing the Commons during PMQs, Mr Starmer said: “I set out the history but the research is clear that 90% of those impacted did know about the change. In those circumstances the taxpayers simply can’t afford the burden of tens of billions of pounds of compensation, but I do understand the concerns.”

In its findings, the ombudsman pointed to DWP findings that 90% of women aged 45 to 54 were aware the state pension was “going to rise in future”. It also referenced research in 2003/4 which found only 43% knew their state pension age was 65.

In a statement the WASPI campaign said it is now taking fresh legal advice. Mr Starmer was confronted by angry MPs in a tense PMQs session.

In a powerful Commons intervention, Ms Abbott told the PM: “The WASPI women fought one of the most sustained and passionate campaigns for justice than I can remember.

“Year in year out. We did promise them that we would give them justice. I understand the issue about the cost, but does the PM really understand how let down WASPI women feel today?”