SIR KEIR STARMER could face another Labour rebellion after 100 MPs signed a letter calling for a Waspi U-turn.

The letter called on ministers to “reach the right decision” for 1950s-born women and give an update on plans by March 2 “at the latest.”

Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaigners sent the letter signed by 15 Labour backbenchers today.

In November, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden announced his department would review its previously announced policy not to compensate women born in the 1950s who were affected by increases in the pension age, for the way the changes were communicated.

He offered campaigners no guarantees that the review would lead to compensation being awarded.

Court proceedings had unearthed a 2007 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) evaluation which had led to officials stopping sending automatic pension forecast letters out.

The letter, led by Lib Dem MP Steve Darling, said that Waspi women “have suffered a clear injustice.”

“The government was right to carefully reconsider its position on the winter fuel payment, personal independence payments, and most recently, inheritance tax relief on agricultural properties,” it added. 

“We hope the coming weeks will allow you to reach the right decision for 1950s-born women.”

Mr Darling added: “Waspi women have waited far too long for justice. They did everything right, yet were denied proper notice and the chance to plan for retirement.

“Government must stop dragging its feet and start delivering fairness for the 1950s-born women who were let down.”

Labour MP Douglas McAllister said: “It’s time for Waspi women to finally get respect, justice and be compensated.”

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman previously suggested that compensation ranging between £1,000 and £2,950 could be appropriate for each of those affected by how state pension changes had been communicated.

But in December 2024, the government said that, while it accepted the ombudsman’s finding of maladministration and apologised for a delay in writing to 1950s-born women, a blanket compensation scheme, which could cost taxpayers up to £10.5 billion, could not be justified.

Waspi chairwoman Angela Madden said: “It’s high time that ministers stopped stalling and started compensating Waspi women.”

Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “This isn’t about special treatment — it’s about fairness. Women born in the 1950s were failed by the system and left without the information they needed to plan their retirement. PCS members understand how damaging that loss of trust is, and why ignoring the ombudsman’s findings would set a dangerous precedent.”

The DWP said its commitment to retake the decision “should not be taken as an indication that government will necessarily decide that it should award financial compensation.”