WASPI state pension compensation update as minister replies to question
by Linda Howard, Unzela Khan · ChronicleLiveMillions of 1950s-born women have been in limbo since 21 March, awaiting a response from successive UK Governments to the findings of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), which concluded that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) committed 'maladministration' by not adequately informing them about the increase in State Pension age from 60 to 65, later to 66. Pensions Minister, Emma Reynolds, engaged with the representatives of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) in September.
However, no further updates have been provided on when the Government will respond to the ombudsman's report or propose any compensation. New enquiries made by MPs this week suggest it may now be early next year before developments occur.
The PHSO report insisted that "Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy" and proposed a payout ranging from £1,000 to £2,950, aligning with Level four of its severity scale. Current figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimate that approximately 3.5 million women are affected by the retirement age increases.
During Thursday's Business of the House session in Parliament, Labour MP Jonathan Hinder urgently called on his party leadership to provide "clarity on compensation" as recommended by the PHSO's recent report. He also asked for MPs to be given the chance to debate its findings and next steps, according to the Daily Record.
The Pendle and Clitheroe representative 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.", reports Leicestershire Live.
He added: "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? " House Leader Lucy Powell acknowledged the delivery of the PHSO report in March, noting it requires "serious consideration by the Government". However, she reassured: "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."
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Questions regarding the Government's response were put forward to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), with answers provided on the same Thursday. The Lib Dem shadow work and pensions spokesperson, Steve Darling, raised questions about whether the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, had held discussions with the Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, about setting a date for a debate on financial compensation ahead of the parliamentary winter recess scheduled for December 19.
In a written reply, the Pensions Minister highlighted that frequent "many discussions with Cabinet colleagues" are part of her role, pointing out she is the "first Minister in eight years to meet WASPI campaigners to hear their experiences directly".
Ms Reynolds continued, stating: "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."
When Conservative MP Stuart Anderson asked about potential dialogues between the head of the DWP and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves regarding "establishing a compensation scheme for women impacted by the changes to the State Pension age", he was met with an identical response.
The WASPI campaign has announced a protest in Parliament Square on Wednesday, October 30, coinciding with the Labour Government's Autumn Budget. The House of Commons is expected to be packed with MPs from across Great Britain, keen to hear Rachel Reeves deliver her first Budget as Chancellor.
WASPI campaigners will be protesting between 12 and 3pm, demanding compensation for all women born in the 1950s who were affected by changes to their State Pension age. The demonstration, dubbed 'WASPI can't wait - compensate', is the latest attempt by activists to keep the spotlight on a proposed compensation scheme, as recommended by the PHSO.