Suffolk advocates for women who lost out because of changes made to state pensions have said they are “euphoric” after winning a legal challenge that may secure more compensation. 

The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) called for a judicial review to be launched into an investigation into the handling of changes made to women’s state pensions.  

More than £120,000 was raised by thousands of women to challenge the second stage of the Parliamentary Health and Service Ombudsman (PHSO) report. 

Last month, WASPI was bitterly disappointed that the latest stage of the report contradicted previous findings. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Thousands of women donated to the WASPI's legal challenge. Picture: Karen SheldonThousands of women donated to the WASPI's legal challenge. Picture: Karen Sheldon (Image: Karen Sheldon)

In July 2021, a report found that the Department for Work and Pensions had mishandled the communications of changes made to women’s pensions. Women’s retirement age was raised to 65 and then 66 – but they were not made aware of this until April 2009, more than two years later. 

However, the second stage of the report released in March dismissed claims that women would have made different financial decisions, had they known about the changes. 

A legal challenge was swiftly mounted, which has now proved successful. 

The PHSO has now agreed to withdraw and revisit its work, which campaigners hope will lead to a higher level of compensation being recommended. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Karen Sheldon, left, with fellow Suffolk Waspi campaigner Judi Moss. (Picture: Karen Sheldon)Karen Sheldon, left, with fellow Suffolk Waspi campaigner Judi Moss. (Picture: Karen Sheldon) (Image: Karen Sheldon)

“We’re euphoric,” said Judi Moss, one of the coordinators for the Suffolk branch of WASPI. 

“For a body like the PSHO to go back on what it has said initially is an unprecedented step, which speaks volumes. 

“As a body of women, we have been pushed away many times, but we haven’t been knocked down.” 

WASPI Chair Angela Madden said: “This is a real milestone on our very long journey to justice.  

“With one of our number dying every 13 minutes, there’s not a second to waste in recognising the financial loss, hardship, and trauma DWP’s incompetence has caused.”