The WASPI pensions campaign has written a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions threatening legal action unless the DWP reconsiders its decision to reject compensation.

In December, the Government said it would not be compensating WASPI women born in the 1950s who claim they were not given sufficient warning of the rise to the State Pension age from 60 to 65.

The WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaigners say that they were not adequately warned about the impact of increasing their State Pension age.

The rise to the State Pension age was originally due to be phased in over 10 years from 2010 but was sped up to be reached by 2018, then rose again to the age of 66 in 2022.

The Government says that while there were some shortcomings in the communications process the majority of women affected were aware of the increase to the State Pension age.

The WASPI women argue they were discriminated against and unfairly treated. Many have said they have faced misery in retirement as expected State Pensions failed to materialise in sufficient amounts.

The WASPI Campaign group said in a letter to the DWP that it would begin High Court proceedings if no U-turn is made, and criticised the Government for its refusal to pay compensation despite a recommendation from the Parliamentary Ombudsman that the rise to the State Pension age was “maladministration” by the DWP.

The letter gave the Government 14 days to respond before the case is filed.

The group has launched a CrowdJustice crowdfunding campaign, looking to raise £75,000 to fund legal action.