LABOUR’S refusal to compensate Waspi women again “slams the door” on justice, campaigners warned today after ministers ruled out redress for pension age communication failures.

Women affected by changes to the state pension age were told for the second time that they would not receive compensation, despite findings of maladministration by the parliamentary and health service ombudsman.

Labour reviewed its previous stance after the rediscovery of a 2007 Department for Work and Pensions evaluation, which led officials to stop sending automatic pension forecast letters.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told the Commons that a targeted compensation scheme would “not be practical,” while a flat-rate approach could cost up to £10.3 billion.

He said the “vast majority” of affected women were already aware the pension age was rising through public information campaigns.

Mr McFadden said verifying individual injustice for millions would be unworkable, while compensating all women would be “not right or fair.”

Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) chairwoman Angela Madden accused the government of treating 1950s-born women with “utter contempt,” calling the decision a “disgraceful political choice.”

She said Waspi was taking legal advice and that “all options remain on the table” to secure justice through Parliament and the courts.

Unison general secretary Andrea Egan said: “This decision slams the door on justice for a generation of women who lost out through no fault of their own.

“They’ve had years of delays and false hope, but the government’s chosen to stand by a flawed process rather than do the right thing.

“Tens of thousands of women had the rug pulled from beneath them. They had little notice of key changes to their pensions and no chance to plan.

“Many have been forced to work longer, burn through savings or deal with poverty in retirement.”

Ms Egan said ministers must “urgently rethink this decision,” adding: “By doing nothing, they’re deepening the sense of betrayal and alienating women who did everything asked of them.”

Labour MP Rebecca Long Bailey, who chairs the parliamentary group on state pension inequality for women, said rejecting compensation despite ombudsman recommendations “undermines the authority” of independent oversight and sends a damaging message about accountability.

The ombudsman previously suggested compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950 per woman.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney called the move a “historic betrayal,” while Plaid Cymru’s work and pensions spokeswoman Ann Davies accused Labour of broken promises and demanded urgent redress.