đź’ś Justice for WASPI Women – WAN Portsmouth Stands With You đź’ś
The Women’s Action Network Portsmouth stands firmly and unwaveringly with every WASPI woman across the UK – especially the remarkable, determined women here in our city who persist in fighting for what is rightfully theirs. WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) represents around 3.6 million women born in the 1950s who have been let down by successive governments. Here in Portsmouth, roughly 9,000 women are affected.
These women received woefully inadequate notice of the decision to raise the state pension age from 60 to 66. While men were given about 6 years’ warning for a 1-year increase, some women had just 18 months to prepare for a 6-year change to their retirement.
This wasn’t misfortune—it was maladministration.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman made this clear and recommended compensation. More than 70% of the public supports it. Yet in January 2026, the Labour government once again refused to act—rejecting compensation a second time and shutting the door on women who have already waited far too long.
Here in Portsmouth, our WASPI sisters, led by Shelagh Simmons (third from left) of WASPI Solent, met local MP, Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North), to make their voices heard, asking the question we all should ask: “The DWP saved £180 billion by raising the pension age—so why can’t they pay us £10 billion in compensation?” It’s a question that deserves an answer.
These women worked hard all their lives. They paid National Insurance in good faith. They made responsible plans based on the government’s word. And they were let down, not by accident or oversight, but by systemic failure and a shocking lack of basic fairness.
The Women’s Action Network Portsmouth has always believed equality isn’t a gift, it’s a right to be defended. Today, we stand with our WASPI sisters in that fight. We’ll keep raising our voices until this injustice is acknowledged, these women are recognised, and compensation is delivered. To every WASPI woman in Portsmouth and across the UK: we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you. 💜
To everyone reading: please take five minutes today to write to your MP and demand justice for WASPI women.
Visit waspi.co.uk for a template letter and the latest updates on the campaign’s ongoing legal action.
The fight is not over, and the clock is ticking – every thirteen minutes, a WASPI woman passes away.
Steph Richards, 21st March 2026.
