Women born in the 1950s – which includes around 10,000 on the Isle of Wight – should be entitled to compensation for DWP’s failures to notify them of State Pension age changes, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has found.
The 3.6m affected women received as little as twelve months’ notice of a six-year hike to their State Pension age, plunging their retirement plans and personal finances into disarray.
After an investigation lasting five years, the PHSO’s final report places responsibility on MPs to decide a final compensation package, and criticises DWP for failing to accept their clear findings of maladministration.
PHSO CEO: The women affected are owed compensation
The PHSO Chief Executive says:
“The UK’s national Ombudsman has made a finding of failings by DWP in this case and has ruled that the women affected are owed compensation. DWP has clearly indicated that it will refuse to comply. This is unacceptable…
“Parliament now needs to act swiftly, and make sure a compensation scheme is established. We think this will provide women with the quickest route to remedy.”
Politicians being held to account
Campaigners have branded the DWP’s approach ‘unbelievable’ and now expect resolution to become a major election issue among the 3.6m women affected.
The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign is pressing all parties to include pledges for fair and fast compensation in their manifestos. Research among 8,000 WASPI women found that 60 percent are undecided about who they will vote for at the general election.
Support for WASPI women
This month more than a dozen MPs from across the main parties, including the Isle of Wight’s Bob Seely, used a House of Commons debate to urge ministers to provide fair and fast compensation to WASPI women.
In January 2022, the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension age changes recommended that compensation of £10,000+ should be paid to each WASPI woman.
Six year investigation
Over the last six years since the PHSO investigation began, MPs from all parties have voiced their support for justice for WASPI women, but neither Labour nor the Conservative Party has made a firm commitment ahead of the general election.
During the course of WASPI’s campaign – and the prolonged PHSO investigation – over 270,000 WASPI women have died waiting for justice.
Madden: One of the affected women is dying every 13 minutes
Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) Chair, Angela Madden, said,
“The DWP’s refusal to accept the clear conclusions of this five year long investigation is simply unbelievable. One of the affected women is dying every 13 minutes, and we just cannot afford to wait any longer.
“Now that the PHSO findings have at last been published, all parties owe it to the women affected to make a clear and unambiguous commitment to compensation. The Ombudsman has put the ball firmly in Parliament’s court, and it is now for MPs to do justice to all the 3.6m women affected.
“The report at least finds that Level 4 compensation is required, but politicians across party lines have previously supported Level 6 – which would far more clearly and reasonably recognise the injustice and loss of opportunities suffered.
“We are now looking to those who have supported us over the years to put their money where their mouth is and back us on a proper compensation package. All the parties are now in the spotlight with WASPI women watching and waiting to see how they should best use their votes in the coming general election.”
Simmons: We are now counting on our MPs to ensure that justice is finally done
Solent and Isle of Wight WASPI Coordinator, Shelagh Simmons, added,
“Isle of Wight WASPI women have already been badly let down by the DWP’s failure to communicate life-impacting State Pension age changes. To add insult to injury, they have now been let down again by its astonishing failure to accept the findings of its own watchdog and to take responsibility. In the 12th March debate, DWP Minister Paul Maynard acknowledged how important this matter is and said the Government takes it very seriously. He also said the DWP is committed to giving the best service it can. Today, those words ring very hollow indeed. We are now counting on our MPs to ensure that justice is finally done.”
Aldous: They deserve the dignity of fast compensation
Peter Aldous MP, Vice-Chair State Pension Inequality for Women APPG, said,
“These millions of women worked, cared for families, and supported communities all their lives. They deserve the dignity of fast compensation.
“In line with the report submitted by the State Pension Inequality for Women APPG to the PHSO in 2022, compensation in line with category 6 injustice must be agreed by Parliament.
“The campaign for justice for 1950s women goes on until Parliament reaches the right conclusion.”
Long-Bailey: These women were betrayed
Rebecca Long-Bailey MP, Vice-Chair State Pension Inequality for Women APPG, said,
“So many of these women have been plunged into poverty in the years since that outrageous decision. These women were betrayed. Too many have already died waiting for justice.
“The UK Government must right this historic wrong, and go beyond the recommendations of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and deliver fair compensation to these women as a matter of urgency.”
Chamberlain: These courageous women deserve our admiration for their persistence
Liberal Democrat Pensions Spokesperson, Wendy Chamberlain MP added,
“After years of waiting, the Ombudsman has finally recommended compensation for WASPI women.
“These courageous women, who have tirelessly campaigned for justice after being left out of pocket, deserve our admiration for their persistence.
“Liberal Democrats have long supported WASPI in their campaign and it is now up to this Conservative Government to come forward with a plan to get these women the compensation they are owed.”
News shared by Shelagh on behalf of Solent WASPI. Ed
Image: Debbie de Spon – WASPI Communications Director, Shelagh Simmons – Solent & IOW WASPI Coordinator, Bob Seely MP, Jane Cowley – Northumberland WASPI Coordinator
