Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling has said a lack of compensation scheme for 1950s-born women affected by changes to their State Pension age, despite recommendations by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) for redress, is “disturbing” and is aiming to find out why. The PHSO’s final report, published in March last year, stated “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.
During the draft social security annual uprating debate in Parliament on Tuesday, the shadow work and pensions spokesperson highlighted how “women are more likely to be victims of poverty, yet the WASPI women (Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign) have in effect been victims of a decision of this Government”.
He told MPs: “It was really pleasing that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Liz Kendall) welcomed the report, acknowledged it and apologised, but, sadly, she did not actually action the report. That gives me great displeasure, as well as many other people across the United Kingdom.
“In evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee, the Ombudsman suggested that there is usually a bit of a conversation between the Ombudsman and the Government about what an acceptable system or approach to compensation would be. Sadly, however, that never happened as far as the WASPI women are concerned, which is disturbing, and I want to understand why.
“Why was there the breakdown in communication between the ombudsman and the previous Conservative government? I am looking to explore that with the Ombudsman in another way.”
The Lib Dems and Greens north of the border have joined with the Scottish Government to call for compensation for 1950-born women. The parties co-signed a letter at the end of last week alongside Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville addressed to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
In the letter, co-signed by Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater and Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, Ms Somerville said: “All MSPs in the Scottish Parliament were united with one voice that these women deserve compensation.
“Members across the chamber were clear that the delays and injustice our Waspi women have suffered must end and the UK Government must deliver on the PHSO recommendations.
“Therefore, in light of this unanimous vote I, along with the leaders of the Scottish Green Party and Scottish Liberal Democrats, urge you to reverse your position on this matter and deliver compensation immediately.
“It is time for the current UK Government to finally right the wrongs of the past and deliver justice for the Waspi women. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.”
The Scottish Government claims the Scottish Labour leadership declined to co-sign the correspondence.
The UK Government announcement caused consternation among Labour members north of the border, including from Scottish leader Anas Sarwar who stressed the decision was “deeply disappointing”.
Speaking in December, Mr Sarwar said: “I can completely understand, and I believe I was one of the ones that campaigned with them, had photographs with them, I was right to do that, I was right to campaign with them.
“I continue to stand with them in the face of their injustice.
“I think where there is justified frustration is in the blanket no compensation position.”
The letter comes as SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn increased the pressure on the UK Government over the issue.
Mr Flynn was given permission last week – with the backing of 10 Labour MPs – to introduce a Bill seeking compensation for the women impacted.
A spokesman for the UK Government said: “We accept the Ombudsman’s finding of maladministration and have apologised for there being a 28-month delay in writing to 1950s-born women.
“However, evidence showed only one in four people remember reading and receiving letters that they weren’t expecting and that by 2006 90 per cent of 1950s-born women knew that the State Pension age was changing.
“Earlier letters wouldn’t have affected this. For these and other reasons the Government cannot justify paying for a £10.5 billion compensation scheme at the expense of the taxpayer.”