MILLIONS of women who were denied tens of thousands of pounds in state pensions through the raising of the retirement age have made another step towards winning compensation.

So-called WASPI women (Women Against State Pension Inequality) said their judicial review claim — that those affected were not given time by the Department for Work and Pensions to plan for their financial future when the government raised their retirement age from 60 to 65, then 66 — is to be re-examined by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

WASPI women, who were born in the 1950s and each lost an estimated £50,000 through the raising of their retirement age, said the ombudsman’s decision was a “big victory.”

It is estimated that every 13 minutes a woman denied state pension dies without having received justice.

WASPI chairwoman Angela Madden said: “This is a real milestone on our very long journey to justice.

“Now we call on all political parties to commit to fast, fair compensation for WASPI women in their manifestos at the next election.

“With one of our number dying every 13 minutes, there’s not a second to waste in recognising the financial loss, hardship and trauma DWP’s incompetence has caused.”

WASPI’s lawyer Caroline Robinson, of Bindmans solicitors said: “Our clients are hopeful that this will lead to a fairer outcome for those affected by the DWP’s maladministration.”

An ombudman spokesperson said: “We hope this co-operative approach will provide the quickest route to remedy for those affected and reduce the delay to the publication of our final report.”

The Department for Work and Pensions said the government had decided over 25 years ago it was going to make the state pension age the same for men and women, a decision supported through the courts.