WASPI women warn Labour at risk of losing seats due to State Pension age compensation

New research also indicates proposed changes to PIP could prove costly for the UK Government at the next election.

The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign is warning that around 150 Labour MPs could lose their seats at the next general election due to the UK Government’s ‘refusal’ to compensate 1950s-born women who were affected by increases in their State Pension age.

New research from Health Equity North, led by academics from Newcastle University, the University of Sheffield and the University of Manchester, shows 303 MPs across the country have majorities smaller than the number of WASPI women living in their constituencies. Many are seats won by Labour for the first time in over a decade.

Campaigners say some 20 Labour MPs are in extremely vulnerable positions as they have at least 5,000 more WASPI women in their constituencies than the size of their majority. Meanwhile, 133 MPs sitting on the UK Government benches have a difference of at least 1,000.

READ MORE: Martin Lewis issues new State Pension age change compensation warning to all WASPI womenREAD MORE: New State Pension back payment update for older women due up to £11,725 from DWP

According to the research, senior Labour ministers most at risk of a backlash at the ballot box include Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Office Minister Jess Phillips.

Current seat-by-seat forecasting suggests newly elected Labour MPs representing coastal towns and ‘red wall’ seats are most vulnerable to a collapse in support, likely benefiting Reform.

WASPI said the MP most at-risk to changes in voting behaviour is former Conservative Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride. He has 6,720 WASPI women in his constituency, versus a majority of just 61.

More analysis by WASPI found that South Dorset’s Lloyd Hatton is Labour’s most vulnerable MP with a difference of 6,280.

Other Labour MPs in risky territory include Suffolk Coastal’s Jenny Riddell-Carpenter; Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, Luke Myer; and Terry Jermy in South West Norfolk.

So far, nearly 50 Labour MPs have publicly hit out at the UK Government’s decision not to compensate WASPI women following a statement and apology in Parliament from Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall in December.

Last month, WASPI campaigners confirmed they had filed for a High Court judicial review following the UK Government’s decision, citing inconsistencies in their response.

Angela Madden, Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), said: “These results are a seismic blow for ministers and make grim reading for anyone who thinks they can take the votes of an entire generation of women for granted.

“The failure of Labour to compensate WASPI women – and indeed some opposition parties in properly challenging their decision – undermines the public’s confidence in our institutions and creates a significant electoral risk.

“With women affected by DWP failures now forced to haul the Government before the High Court, ministers must stop defending the indefensible – we need justice now.”

The research also indicates that limiting access to financial support for people with debilitating conditions will cause the most economic harm in poorer communities, with the worst-affected constituencies represented by Labour MPs.

The seat-by-seat analysis of the potential consequences of the UK Government’s plan to tighten the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) showed businesses in some places face collective annual losses of more than £20 million.

The study examined the drop in spending locally as a result of fewer PIP claimants being eligible under the changes due to start next year.

The latest data shows there are 3.7 million people receiving PIP in England and Wales. The level of financial support provided is based on how high claimants score based on their level of difficulty performing day-to-day activities.

Changes to PIP assessments are part of a push to reduce the welfare bill and get more people into employment.

The “pathways to work” Green Paper, published in March, includes a plan to require a minimum score of four points in at least one category to qualify for the ‘daily living’ component of PIP.

The age at which young people transition from disability living allowance for children will also be increased from 16 to 18.

The research found the changes would have the most impact in the North East and the North West, with average per person losses of £269 and £231 respectively.

A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) impact assessment of the changes to social security in the spring statement estimated there will be an additional 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, in relative poverty by 2030.

Clare Bambra, academic co-director of Health Equity North and professor of public health at Newcastle University, said Parliament should not “rush through” the UK Government’s plans without considering the wider impact.

She added: “Those areas that will lose most from this proposal were already decimated by austerity, Covid and the cost of living crisis.

“They have worse health than other regions and their local services and economies are already struggling.

“Losses of this magnitude risk worsening the situation for everyone living in these deprived constituencies.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “As part of our Plan For Change, we’re creating a sustainable welfare system that delivers proper support to help sick and disabled people break down barriers, unlock work, boost living standards, and grow the economy.

“This is on top of our Get Britain Working White Paper, which set out the biggest employment reforms in a generation – backed by £240 million – working across government and with our mayors, local leaders, the NHS, and employers to drive up employment and opportunity and grow the economy.”

You can read the full report online here.