MORE than 11,000 women in Runcorn and Widnes count as Waspi women, according to latest House of Commons data – and could receive compensation.

Waspi stands for Women Against State Pension Inequality and represents around 3.6 million women born between April 1950 and April 1960.

These women saw their retirement age move from 60 to 65 when women’s state pension age increased to match men’s.

According to newly released data by the House of Commons, more than 11,000 Waspi women live in Runcorn and Widnes.

In Runcorn and Halton there are 6,010 Waspi women, and in Widnes and Halewood there are 5,620.

Waspi women are now fighting for compensation as they do not accept the way in which the state pension age was implemented, claiming they were not given enough warning of the change.

They have campaigned since 2015 and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman said the Department for Work and Pensions should have sent letters to the affected women 28 months before it did.

Ombudsman report, which was published last month, also said the women deserved compensation – which could range from £3,000 to £10,000.

“The Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report was published nearly one month ago and with no timeline for the Government’s compensation proposals yet published, it appears ministers have gone into hiding,” said Angela Madden, chair of the Waspi campaign.

“The report contains three straightforward conclusions: the DWP failed up very badly; Waspi women should be compensated; and Parliament should intervene to set up a scheme.

“The Government should listen to the views of the Commons and the country – all MPs must be given an urgent debate and vote before the summer recess so we can finally put an end to this injustice.”

This week, senior MPs across the commons have rallied behind the Waspi campaign in a letter to Commons Leader, Penny Mourdant, and Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride.

The letter calls on ministers to make time for an ‘urgent debate and vote’ following the release of the Ombudsman report.

More than 225,000 people have signed a change.org open letter to Penny Mordaunt as well, echoing calls for a Parliamentary debate and vote in Government.

It is thought 3,000 women have died since the Ombudsman’s findings were published on March 21 and one Waspi woman dies every 13 minutes.

Weaver Vale Labour MP Mike Amesbury commented: “I think the current government should do the right thing and respond positively to the recommendations outlined in the Ombudsman’s report.

“They have form for kicking the can of justice and redress down the road, including with other examples like the infected blood scandal and the postmaster’s debacle.”