Jess Brown-Fuller MP writes to the Prime Minister urging him to compensate WASPI women

Jess Brown-Fuller, MP for Chichester, has written to the Prime Minister urging him to change course on the Government’s decision not to compensate WASPI women, on behalf of an estimated 7,300 constituents affected by the changes to the State Pension age.

In her letter, Jess reminds the Prime Minister that during the Makerfield by-election he personally assured WASPI campaigners that addressing this injustice was a priority for him, and asks him to make good on that commitment.

The letter also criticises the decision to ignore the findings of the independent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), which recommended compensation following a six-year investigation into maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions. Jess warns that if the Government is willing to disregard the findings of its own Ombudsman, it “calls into question the very purpose of that office and significantly undermines public trust in the institution.”

Ministers are now set to defend a fresh judicial review in the High Court, brought and crowdfunded by the women affected. Jess argues that this gives the Government a clear opportunity to think again, accept the Ombudsman’s findings in full, and deliver the compensation owed.

The concludes by asking the Prime Minister to set out what steps his Government intends to take to resolve the matter, and to act without further delay.