1950s-born women affected by state pension age changes, among them campaigners in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, are urging the government to choose mediation over a judicial review, citing the need for a fair, inclusive, and timely resolution.

Angela Madden, Chair of WASPI [Women Against State Pension Inequality] stated in the Derbyshire Times, that ministers must “stop dithering and get around the table with WASPI women”; aligning with the long-standing message that many campaigners have been advocating.

This call comes as pressure mounts around the government’s handling of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) findings, which confirmed maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in failing to adequately communicate changes to the state pension age.

1950s Women of Wales & Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Organiser Jackie Gilderdale said:-

“We have waited long enough. The vast majority of 1950s-born women do NOT want a judicial review, which would only delay justice further. We want mediation, where all evidence — not just legal arguments — can be heard and considered.

“We have contacted the newly appointed Work & Pensions Minister, Pat McFadden MP and invited him to attend mediation; but still waiting for a response and we hope the issue will be raised at the Labour conference.

“The APPG are calling for mediation too and the majority of MPs at a parliamentary debate before the summer recess called for the Minister to “get around the table with the leaders of the women’s groups.”

A judicial review, while legally significant, is limited in scope and would only examine whether the law was applied correctly — not whether the outcome was fair or the impact acceptable. Campaigners argue that such a move would be costly, slow, and emotionally draining for the women affected — many of whom are already suffering from financial hardship, poor health, and long-term stress.

In contrast, mediation offers a more humane, efficient, and inclusive path forward, allowing lived experiences, personal losses, and all available evidence to be brought to the table. It also provides the best opportunity for a timely, negotiated settlement that recognises both the injustice and the damage done.

The 1950s Women of Wales urge:

Jackie went on to say “We’re not looking for endless court battles. We’re looking for fairness, dignity, and resolution — before more women are lost without justice. After all, justice delayed is justice denied — mediation is the way forward.

“Another campaign group CEDAWinLAW, whom we work in partnership with, has assembled a team of independent lawyers who are ready to move forward with mediation alongside the Work & Pensions Minister, representing all women born in the 1950s. We know there is money in the Government coffers for compensation and they know they saved over £181 million pounds by raising the SPA - so there is no excuse.

“At this stage we encourage all ’50s women to join their local group and to contact their respective MPs and lobby them to support the call for mediation. This decade long campaign needs closure with a fair and acceptable compensatory solution, before more women die and become an added statistic to the 400,000 who’ve died so far. “