Millions of women born in the 1950s have been waiting since March 21 for successive UK Governments to respond to the findings and recommendations made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) in its final report. The Ombudsman found that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had been guilty of ‘maladministration’ by failing to let women know that their State Pension age was due to increase from 60 to 65, then 66.
Pensions Minister, Emma Reynolds met with representatives of the WASPI campaign (Women Against State Pension Inequality) in September, but since then there has been no update on when a response to the report will be issued, or, if and when a compensation proposal will be put forward. And following responses to new queries raised by MPs this week, it now looks like it could be early next year before any progress is made.
The PHSO report stated that “Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy” and recommended compensation equivalent to Level four on its banding scale, which is worth between £1,000 and £2,950.
Based on current Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, an estimated 3.5 million women have been affected by increases to the official age of retirement.
During this week’s Business of the House session in Parliament on Thursday, Labour MP Jonathan Hinder made a passionate plea to his own party urging the Government to give “clarity on compensation” recommended by the PHSO in its report and called for MPs to be “given the opportunity to debate its findings and the next steps”.
The Pendle and Clitheroe MP told the Commons: “Women affected by the changes to the State Pension age continue to wait for clarity on the compensation recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in its March report.
“I appreciate the state that the public finances have been left in, and I acknowledge the complexity of this issue, but many of my constituents are concerned that justice is being further delayed. May we have a statement from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Government’s plans to respond to the report, and will MPs be given the opportunity to debate its findings and the next steps?”
Leader of the House, Lucy Powell acknowledged that the PHSO report was published in March, but requires “serious consideration by the Government”.
However, she added: “I know that it is frustrating, but Ministers are actively doing that as we speak. Of course, once they are ready to do so, they will come to the House with a full response.”
The topic of a response was also raised in written questions to the DWP which were both answered on Thursday.
The Lib Dem shadow work and pensions spokesperson, Steve Darling, asked if discussions have taken place between the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, and the Leader of the House (Lucy Powell) to timetable a debate on financial redress before the parliamentary winter recess on December 19.
In a written response, the Pensions Minister said that “many discussions with Cabinet colleagues” take place and highlighted how she is the “first Minister in eight years to meet WASPI campaigners to hear their experiences directly”.
Ms Reynolds continued: “The Ombudsman’s report took around five years to complete and deserves serious consideration. This Government respects the work of the Ombudsman and we are currently working through all aspects of the Ombudsman’s final report along with the evidence provided during the investigation.”
The exact same response was given to Conservative MP Stuart Anderson, who also asked if there had been discussion between the DWP boss and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves on “establishing a compensation scheme for women affected by changes to the State Pension age”.
WASPI protest before Autumn Budget
The WASPI campaign recently announced that a demonstration will take place in Parliament Square on Wednesday, October 30 to coincide with the Labour Government’s Autumn Budget. The House of Commons will be packed with MPs from across Great Britain to hear Rachel Reeves deliver her first Budget as Chancellor.
WASPI campaigners will be demonstrating between 12 and 3pm and calling for compensation for all women born in the 1950s impacted by changes to their State Pension age. The ‘WASPI can’t wait – compensate’ demo is the latest move by campaigners to keep the focus on a compensation plan, which was recommended by the PHSO.