Labour MP Andy McDonald has urged the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to allow MPs to “vote on proposals for financial redress” for the millions of women affected by changes to their State Pension age. The Middlesbrough and Thornaby East representative also grilled the DWP last week about its response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) final report.
Published on March 21, the report slammed the DWP for ‘maladministration’, accusing it of failing to adequately inform women born in the 1950s that their State Pension age would rise from 60 to 65, and then to 66. The PHSO suggested that “Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy” and proposed compensation at Level four of its scale, which amounts to between £1,000 and £2,950.
Despite repeated calls from members across the political divide, the DWP is still scrutinising the PHSO report, with Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds not directly addressing Mr McDonald’s recent query. In her written response on October 11, the Pensions Minister stated: “As a newly formed Government we will need time to review and consider the Ombudsman’s report along with the evidence provided during the investigation.”
She added, “Now the election has concluded we need to consider the views that have been expressed on all sides.”
Ms Reynolds stated: “The issues outlined in the report are significant and complex, as such they require serious deliberation. Once this work has been undertaken, the Government will be in a position to outline its approach.”
She also mentioned her active dialogue with stakeholders: “As part of this work, I met with representatives from the WASPI Campaign (Women Against State Pension Inequality) on the 5 September.”
The query posed by Mr McDonald concerning the DWP‘s acknowledgement of errors as found in the PHSO’s report received a familiar response from Ms Reynolds, reflective of earlier statements, reports the Daily Record.
Despite questions posed to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and the Pensions Minister during DWP parliamentary sessions on October 7, aiming for progress in compensation efforts, setbacks were revealed due to the ‘complexity’ of the ultimate findings in the final report. When probed on four different occasions regarding when plans would be unveiled to recompense the WASPI women, the consistent reply underscored the necessity for additional ‘time to review’ the intricate conclusions and recommendations comprised within the report.
Based on the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), approximately 3.5 million women born in the 1950s have been adversely affected by the changes to the state pension age. As Labour surpasses 100 days in office, WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaigners are intensifying their efforts to pressurise government ministers to accelerate the delivery of compensation plans, with an eye on the forthcoming Autumn Budget set for Wednesday, October 30.
Angela Madden, the Chair of WASPI, lambasted the incumbent administration for dragging its heels, saying, “This Government campaigned on the grounds of being the party of social justice and of getting things done, yet as Labour marks 100 days in power, their lack of progress means ministers risk continuing the can-kicking of the Conservatives.”
She also underscored the burgeoning backing among Labour parliamentarians: “Since the general election, we have welcomed support from hundreds of Labour MPs and are pleased to see so many new MPs backing our calls for compensation. Like us, these MPs know that carrying out the recommendations of both the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Work and Pensions Select Committee without delay is the only remedy for this historic injustice.”
Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Work and Pensions, Steve Darling MP, has emphasised his party’s position on an issue impacting countless women: “The Liberal Democrats have long supported fair and fast compensation for WASPI women, and we will continue to advocate for the millions of women across the country awaiting justice.”
Adding pressure on the powers that be, he urged the government to act promptly: “Ministers must quickly step up for 1950s-born women and implement the findings of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report without delay.”
In a display of solidarity and demand for action, WASPI campaigners are set to rally during a crucial fiscal event. They will gather in Parliament Square on October 30, converging to voice their call for timely and equitable redress during the Chancellor’s Budget reveal.
The ‘WASPI can’t wait – compensate’ protest is scheduled from 12 to 3pm, marking a critical plea for recognition and remedy.
