Express & Star

Defiant WASPI women vow to fight on after High Court defeat

"We've lost our case today, but we're not going away."

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Campaigners outside the Royal Courts of Justice

That was the defiant message from West Midlands WASPI campaigners, who were defeated in a landmark legal battle against the government's handling of the rise in women's state pension age.

In a judicial review they argued that women born in the 1950s were discriminated against by increases in the retirement age, which they say did not give them enough time to make the adjustments needed to cope with extra years without a state pension.

But High Court judges ruled against their claims for compensation.

Summarising the courts decision, judges said: "There was no direct discrimination on grounds of sex, because this legislation does not treat women less favourably than men in law.

Campaigners outside the Royal Courts of Justice

"Rather it equalises a historic asymmetry between men and women and thereby corrects historic direct discrimination against men."

The court also threw out the claimants' argument that the policy was discriminatory based on age, adding that even if it was "it could be justified on the facts".

The case was brought by BackTo60 campaigners and backed by Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI), which has groups all over the country.

It is understood that an appeal is being considered.

'Travesty of justice'

More than 30 members of the Birmingham WASPI group, which has members from across the West Midlands, met in the Square Peg pub in Birmingham city centre to watch the result come through.

Group founder Bridget Green, from Great Barr, says the venue was stunned into silence when they heard the ruling.

"Everyone is gutted, but we will regroup and decide what our next steps are," the 64-year-old said.

"This is a complete travesty of justice. We feel so let down and I don't know how the judges can come to the conclusion that they have.

"Rest assured we will not let this drop.

"Maybe it is time we stopped being so ladylike and started being more like the suffragettes."

The group later gathered outside in the street where they chanted: "We've lost our case today, but we're not going away."

Rising pension age

In 2015 the state pension age rose to 63 for women, then to 65 in 2018. By next year it will be 66 for men and women. It will go up to 67 between 2026 and 2028, before rising to 68 between 2044 and 2046.

Campaigners argue that the changes discriminated against 3.8 million UK women born in the 1950s who were not given enough time to prepare.

Ms Green added: "I heard from a woman in her 60s who has resorted to shoplifting food because she can't afford to buy it.

"How disgraceful is it that she should be forced into such a situation? And I am sure she won't be the only one.

"The court has failed to recognise that a huge change to the lives of many women was implemented without their knowledge."

'Not for the court'

Delivering their verdict, Lord Justice Irwin and Mrs Justice Whipple said: "The court was saddened by the stories contained in the claimants' evidence.

"But the court's role was limited. There was no basis for concluding that the policy choices reflected in the legislation were not open to government. In any event they were approved by Parliament.

"The wider issues raised by the claimants about whether the choices were right or wrong or good or bad were not for the court. They were for members of the public and their elected representatives."

Politicians and trade unions have backed the women's campaign.

Birmingham Labour MP Roger Godsiff said: "I am very sorry to see the ruling on the WASPI women.

"A grave injustice was done to them and I will continue to support their campaign for justice."

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said the judgement was "a terrible blow", adding: "But WASPI women will never give up – and neither will our union. We’ll keep on fighting for what is fair and right."

Labour frontbencher Angela Rayner said: "The campaign for WASPI continues. Us girls know our history and none of the women’s rights that have been fought and gained throughout history have ever come easy to us."