The Government has issued an update regarding the introduction of a compensation scheme for Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign (Waspi).
This update comes after an online petition with over 157,000 signatures demanded compensation for women born in the 1950s.
In an update on February 14, the Petitions Committee announced that MPs will debate compensation for Waspi women next month.
The parliamentary debate, scheduled for Monday, March 17, will address calls to "fairly compensate" women born in the 1950s who were affected by State Pension age changes.
The petition was posted on the petitions-parliament website by Jane Cowley, Waspi director.
The debate comes amid ongoing controversy over compensation for an estimated 3.8 million women impacted by changes to their retirement age.
Waspi women seek compensation from the Labour government due to DWP "maladministration" Getty ImagesThe Waspi campaign has emphasised that while the upcoming debate is not binding on the government, it represents a crucial opportunity.
The campaign stated on social media platform X: "This isn't binding on the government, but is an opportunity for all MPs to show support for compensation and upholding the PHSO recommendations.
"Please write to your MP, ask them to attend and speak up for compensation for their Waspi constituents."
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found that affected women should have received at least 28 months' more individual notice about State Pension age changes.
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For women unaware of the changes, the PHSO noted they lost the opportunity to adjust their retirement plans due to this delay.
The PHSO called for Parliament to "urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy".
The PHSO recommended compensation equivalent to Level four on its banding scale, which would amount to between £1,000 and £2,950 for affected women.
Despite previous support while in opposition, the Labour Government ruled out compensation.
Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary told Parliament there would be "no scheme of financial compensation," though she apologised for DWP maladministration.
Kendall cited costs between £3.5 - £10.5billion to implement the suggested redress scheme.
The announcement disappointed campaigners who had expected Labour's support.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer later claimed that "90 per cent of women were aware of the changes" to their State Pension age.
Waspi women are also outraged over the Government's perceived treatment of pensioners GETTY Waspi campaigners branded Starmer's statement "misleading" and a distortion of the facts.
In Scotland, cross-party support for Waspi compensation continues to grow. The Scottish Government, Liberal Democrats and Greens have jointly written to Starmer urging him to reverse his position.
Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, alongside Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater and Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, highlighted unanimous Scottish Parliament support for compensation.
Somerville wrote in the letter: "All MSPs in the Scottish Parliament were united with one voice that these women deserve compensation. It is time for the current UK Government to finally right the wrongs of the past and deliver justice for the Waspi women."
