Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Pensions 2025-11-11

11 November 2025 · 3 other contributors

Opened by The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden Lab Labour

Benefits & Welfare

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden raised concerns about pensions 2025-11-11 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman published an investigation report on state pension age communication for women born in the 1950s.
  • The issue relates to decisions made under the Pensions Act 1995 to equalise and raise state pension ages.
  • The coalition Government's Pensions Act 2011 accelerated the process of raising state pension ages.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden

Today, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has published an investigation report on the communication of changes to state pension ages for women born in the 1950s. The issue stems from decisions made under the Pensions Act 1995 to equalise and raise the state pension age, as well as the coalition Government's Pensions Act 2011 which accelerated this process. In March last year, after a six-year investigation, the ombudsman published their final report, prompting the former Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, to provide the government’s response to the House in December 2024. However, new evidence from a 2007 DWP evaluation of automatic pension forecast letters has surfaced during legal proceedings. Given this development, I have decided that we must retake the decision made last December and review all available evidence, including the newly discovered report, to ensure fairness and transparency. This process will be transparent and fair, though it should not be seen as an indication that financial redress is guaranteed. The work begins immediately, with a commitment to update the House on the final decision once concluded.

Other contributors (3)
  • Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth

    Question

    My right hon. Friend will investigate why the evidence from a 2007 DWP evaluation was not made available to Liz Kendall last year, but can he give a timeframe for when he might be able to report back to the House with his conclusions?

    Minister reply

    While I cannot provide a specific date at this stage due to the need for thorough consideration and fairness in reviewing all evidence, I assure my hon. Friend that we will work diligently on this matter and update the House as soon as a conclusion is reached.

  • Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North

    Question

    The hon. Lady asked about the nature of evidence cited in legal proceedings and questioned why it was not uncovered before, seeking assurances that all relevant evidence will be uncovered before the next decision.

    Minister reply

    The Secretary of State clarified that the report from 2007 is a DWP evaluation, which was not drawn to the attention of the previous Secretary of State due to its potential relevance at the time being unclear.

Shadow Comment

Mark Garnier

The shadow Minister acknowledges the importance of the issue and the technical nature of the statement but criticises the government for failing to provide financial redress to affected women. He highlights that when in opposition, Labour stood alongside WASPI campaigners for a 'better deal,' only to backtrack on their promises once in power due to perceived fiscal constraints. Garnier questions why the current government has not met with representatives of the WASPI campaign despite new evidence being considered and accuses them of attempting to avoid responsibility by delaying decisions. He also notes that Labour increased personal allowances during their tenure, a policy that is now under threat by potential tax changes in the upcoming budget, which could affect millions of pensioners.

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