BARROW campaigners have slammed the government's reaction to a long-awaited state pension report.

The women of the Barrow in Furness & District WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) group have expressed disappointment after what they thought could be a landmark moment in their fight. 

Around 3.8 million women born in the 1950s were not given enough notice they would have to wait several more years for their State Pension.

On Thursday, March 21 the PHSO (Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman) published its long-awaited WASPI report which suggested compensation should be given to thousands of women impacted by historic state pension changes.

READ MORE: Barrow WASPI women take fight to Westminster over compensation delays

The PHSO said it was 'taking the rare but necessary step of asking parliament to intervene'.

The payouts recommended in the report however were between £1,000 and £2,950, and fall far short of the thousands of pounds campaigners were calling for.

Barrow WASPI campaigner Catherine Williams, 70, who worked as a nurse and paid National Insurance since she was 16, said she lost out on £42,000 by the time she got her pension at 66.

The Mail: Barrow Waspi members Cath Williams, Teresa Salt and Christine Taylor in 2021Barrow Waspi members Cath Williams, Teresa Salt and Christine Taylor in 2021 (Image: WASPI)

"It's all been a bit of a let-down," Catherine said: "It was great being back in the public eye again and everyone thought this might be the end to the fight.

"The £3,000 offer of compensation is insulting and the coverage has just become increasingly more negative.

"We have a government that don't understand the finances of everyday people. They seem to find it for furlough, vaccines, Ukraine, refugees but us? We're just forgotten.

"We've always asked for fair and fast compensation and this isn't it. I'm not sure of the exact figures however since the 21st March there will have been around 200 women who have died without getting the money they're owed.

"The government is saving a fortune on this and spending it on everything but us.

The DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) has still not publicly accepted failings found in the stage 1 report three years ago

The WAPSI campaign was quick to call out the government's 'lackluster' reaction to the report after failing to implement the ombudsman's findings immediately.

After its formation in 2016, the Barrow in Furness & District branch has taken the fight all over the country visiting cities such as Carlisle, Manchester and Liverpool.

Catherine said: "How long are we going to fight for? We thought this might be the end of the fight however it feels like it is just the beginning."

A DWP spokesman said: "We will consider the ombudsman's report and respond in due course, having co-operated fully throughout this investigation.

"The Government has always been committed to supporting all pensioners in a sustainable way that gives them a dignified retirement, whilst also being fair to them and taxpayers.

"The state pension is the foundation of income in retirement and will remain so as we deliver a further 8.5% rise in April which will increase the state pension for 12 million pensioners by £900."

The Barrow WASPI women's group is still very active and encourages people affected to join. To find out more, visit the WASPI website.