BOTH major political parties refused to commit to compensating Waspi women today despite a damning report calling on government to pay billions to those who were not told about the state pension rise.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt promised the triple lock for pension will be included in the Tory election manifesto, suggesting that the party was confident it would be able to pay for it.

But he declined to promise compensation for women hit by changes to state pension eligibility, amid accusations the government failed to adequately inform those born in the 1950s about a rise in the entitlement age.

Labour chairwoman Anneliese Dodds also declined to say if, in government, the party would compensate the women affected.

Talking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Ms Dodds said: “Those women deserve respect: that’s the most important [thing].

“If I was to say, plucking out of the air, this is exactly how, for example, compensation should work or other elements of the response to the Waspi women … I don’t think they would believe me, frankly, and nor should they.”

It comes after the parliamentary & health service ombudsman found the changes to the state pension age were not communicated adequately and those affected should receive an apology — and compensation.

The Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaigners have demanded action over the report, warning Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be on a sticky wicket seeking votes from Waspi women when he goes to the country later this year if he ignores the ombudsman’s findings.

The triple lock refers to the commitment to raise the state pension every year by the rate of wage growth, inflation or 2.5 per cent, whichever is highest.