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Women’s State Pension Age Communication: PHSO Report
17 December 2024
Lead MP
Liz Kendall
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Taxation
Other Contributors: 50
At a Glance
Liz Kendall raised concerns about women’s state pension age communication: phso report in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
With permission, I made a statement on the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's investigation into how changes in state pension age were communicated to women born in the 1950s. The Government acknowledges maladministration in delaying letters by 28 months between 2005-2007 but disagrees with compensation recommendations, citing high costs and administrative burdens. We will protect the triple lock on pensions and implement lessons learned from this investigation, including developing a modern communication strategy for state pension changes.
Paula Sherriff
Lab
Dewsbury
Question
The MP asked if the Minister could give assurances that people will not be treated unfairly under future state pension age changes and whether there would be a proper impact assessment.
Minister reply
The Government has already started working on an action plan to address any communication issues, which includes ensuring clear and timely notice of changes. We have also developed the 'check your state pension' service to provide personal forecasts.
Steve Double
Con
St Austell and Newquay
Question
The MP inquired about how women affected by these delays could take advantage of any compensation scheme if such a decision was made in the future.
Minister reply
The Government is committed to learning from this experience and ensuring clear communication going forward. We will work with stakeholders, including WASPI campaigners, to develop an action plan addressing the issues highlighted.
Diana Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North
Question
The MP questioned whether any women who were not aware of changes and suffered as a result would be compensated through other means.
Minister reply
While we have concluded that financial compensation is not the appropriate remedy, we are committed to developing a comprehensive action plan with stakeholders to address concerns and improve communication processes.
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent
Question
The MP asked if the Government would compensate women who did not receive letters in time or were unaware of changes.
Minister reply
We have concluded that providing financial compensation to all affected women is not a fair use of taxpayers' money. However, we will work on measures to ensure better communication and support for future pension age changes.
Helen Whately
Con
Faversham and Mid Kent
Question
Will the Government put forward any other non-financial form of remedy for the women affected? Will the Secretary of State be involving the WASPI campaigners in the action plan?
Minister reply
We will produce a detailed action plan with the ombudsman to ensure that delays and maladministration never happen again, and we are willing to work closely with the WASPI campaigners. We want to provide timely, effective, and personalized information about pensions.
Gill German
Lab
Clwyd North
Question
Can my right hon. Friend assure my constituents that a serious case like this will not occur again?
Minister reply
We want to learn from the maladministration and ensure timely, effective, and personal communication about pensions so that people can plan for their retirement properly.
Steve Darling
Lib Dem
Torbay
Question
Will the Secretary of State reflect on the decision?
Minister reply
We accept the delay in sending out letters and apologise, but we do not agree with the ombudsman’s approach to injustice or remedy. We believe that the proposed compensation scheme is not fair or proportionate.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Question
Does the Secretary of State accept accountability for the maladministration?
Minister reply
We take responsibility for the delay in sending out letters but do not believe financial compensation is fair or proportionate, as 90% of women knew about the increase in state pension age.
Gosport
Question
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s report says what many WASPI women across my constituency have been saying for years, which is that between 2005 and 2007 the DWP and the last Labour Government let them down. I am therefore grateful to the Secretary of State for her apology, but that will come as cold comfort to those who are in this situation in the face of no financial compensation. If I am right in what I hear, she says mitigation is too complicated and that it is someone else’s fault. That will be no comfort to those impacted. What conversations does the Secretary of State plan to have with the WASPI women to see what more support can be put in place for those most impacted?
Minister reply
I met the WASPI campaign in opposition when I was appointed shadow Work and Pensions Minister. The Minister for Pensions was the first of her kind to meet the WASPI campaign for eight years, and she is happy to meet them again. This is not about the matter being too complicated; we do not believe that, when 90% of women aged 45 to 54 knew the state pension age was increasing, a flat-rate compensation scheme costing up to £10.5 billion would be a fair or proportionate use of taxpayers’ money.
Salford
Question
The all-party parliamentary group on state pension inequality has found that huge numbers of women have suffered significant financial hardship; many have even lost their homes. The Secretary of State must realise that her apology is welcome, but that it is not enough for them. Frankly, it is unprecedented for a Government to agree with the findings of an ombudsman on the one hand, but, on the other, to refuse to initiate redress when clear injustice has occurred. What will the Secretary of State say to reassure those women who have lost everything?
Minister reply
I understand the concerns that my hon. Friend raises, but I reiterate the findings from the ombudsman’s report that there was no direct financial loss. We agree that those letters should have been sent out earlier. We will learn all the lessons needed to put that right. I am more than happy to discuss precisely how we will do that with the all-party parliamentary group, so that that kind of maladministration of sending out letters never happens again.
John Milne
Lib Dem
Horsham
Question
Last month, the word “WASPI” made it into the Collins English Dictionary, which is a credit to the campaigners behind it. Does the Secretary of State agree that she has gone through the ombudsman’s report with, to use her own words, a fine-toothed comb, in order to get the answer that she always wanted to find in the first place?
Minister reply
No, I do not agree with that. It was only when we got into government that we were able to see all the information and advice provided by the Department. This report is not about the state pension age increases; it is about how they were communicated. I take responsibility for that and will make sure that we do everything possible to put it right.
Katie White
Lab
Leeds North West
Question
This is undoubtedly a tough choice. It is welcome that the Government will seek to learn the lessons and develop a new strategy for clear and timely comms. Will the Secretary of State reassure the House not only that the strategy will be comprehensive, but that those with accessibility requirements are properly informed of any changes?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises an extremely important point; we need to provide tailored information in an accessible way—in an easily understood and available format. We will work extremely closely with all the necessary groups to develop that information, and give sufficient notice.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
The Secretary of State says in her statement: “Research given to the ombudsman shows only around a quarter of people who are sent unsolicited letters actually remember receiving and reading them.” I would like to know the terms of that research. Did it, for example, say on the envelope, “Important financial information affecting your pension”? If something like that were on an envelope, I think that there would be a very different response rate.
Minister reply
I am happy to write to the right hon. Gentleman about this research and its findings, which are robust.
Brian Leishman
Lab
Alloa and Grangemouth
Question
In the framing of my question to the Secretary of State, I first wish to say that I am appalled by this announcement. I have campaigned with WASPI women, as have many parliamentary colleagues, and this is an incredible let down for them. In my opinion, WASPI women certainly do not need words of disappointment and hollow statements. What they need is justice.
Minister reply
I believe that this is a difficult decision, but the right and fair one. We accept that there has been maladministration. Once the Department had reached its decision, those letters should have been sent out.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
Question
It is a gross understatement for the Secretary of State to say that 1950s women will be disappointed, especially given that this new Government are setting a precedent by ignoring an independent resolution process. I signpost constituents to the ombudsman on a regular basis; we all do. It is one of the ways that we hold the Government and Government bodies to account, and it is a core part of our democracy.
Minister reply
We did campaign against the acceleration of changes to the state pension age brought forward by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Government, but that is not what this decision is about. The decision on the state pension age has already been taken.
Melanie Ward
Lab
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Question
The Government are right to have apologised to WASPI women today and my right hon. Friend is also right to have acknowledged the significant disappointment that will be felt. What is important is that this Labour Government are acting to boost pension pots across the country.
Minister reply
The pension schemes Bill will do precisely that. One of the really important things that we want to do is to consolidate smaller pension pots, so that they deliver better value and better results for those in retirement.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Question
Anas Sarwar said that, under his leadership, WASPI women will finally receive the justice they deserve. Is the justice they deserve being paid less than their male counterparts throughout their career? Is the justice they deserve being sacked or forced to resign from their jobs when they had children? Is the justice they deserve the removal of the winter fuel payment?
Minister reply
I am proud of the last Labour Government’s record on helping the lowest-paid women pensioners and of the improvements that we delivered. This is not about that issue; this is about the way that the state pension age was communicated.
Gareth Snell
Lab Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Question
This will be a sad moment for the 4,000 women in Stoke-on-Trent Central who I have campaigned alongside for justice and a fair transition. Is this decision due to economic circumstances or is it an absolute refusal of compensation? Will future considerations about revisiting the issue be made if financial conditions improve?
Minister reply
We do not agree with the ombudsman’s approach to injustice or compensation. We believe that, even though we should have sent letters earlier, it would not have changed the outcome as 90% of affected women knew about the state pension age increase. A flat-rate compensation scheme costing up to £10.5 billion is seen as inappropriate given current fiscal constraints.
Gavin Williamson
Con
Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge
Question
Will the Secretary of State commit to having a binding vote in this House on the decision regarding compensation for WASPI women? The previous government provided compensation when similar judgments were made against Equitable Life.
Minister reply
The reason the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman referred the report to Parliament was because he did not believe the last Government would deal with it properly. This Government takes their responsibility seriously, hence they are making this difficult decision.
Christopher Vince
Lab Co-op
Harlow
Question
What reassurances can the Secretary of State give WASPI women that we will do everything we can to support them and ensure such issues do not happen again?
Minister reply
We understand the disappointment but believe it is a fair decision. The commitment to pensioners includes an extra £30 billion into the basic state pension over this Parliament, plus significant NHS investment. We are open to further discussion.
Rachel Gilmour
Lib Dem
Tiverton and Minehead
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that it turns out they have neither probity nor decency as believed by millions of women who supported Labour?
Minister reply
No.
Tom Rutland
Lab
East Worthing and Shoreham
Question
Is this another example of difficult but necessary decisions that former Ministers and current shadow Ministers ran away from?
Minister reply
It was a long-running issue spanning multiple Parliaments. We have dealt with it seriously, but also as quickly as we can. It is a difficult decision, but I believe it is the right one.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
How long will this Government give excuses for not doing things because of previous governments? The ombudsman has found in favour. Cannot hide behind saying that “We have no money”.
Minister reply
It is not only about there being no money but also the belief that earlier letters would not make a difference, given that 90% of women knew about the state pension age increase.
Melanie Onn
Lab
Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Question
The report is about communication methods. Earlier letters would have made differences in financial planning, retirement dates, notice to jobs, and family arrangements. Will she reconsider that at some point?
Minister reply
We estimate sending earlier letters would not make a significant difference given research showing only one in four people remember unsolicited letters. Justifying flat-rate or individualised compensation schemes on this basis is difficult.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Question
What will she say to WASPI women disappointed at her rejection of any compensation, even if not at the level recommended?
Minister reply
My party opposed accelerating increases in state pension age. This is about how changes were communicated, which is why this decision has been made.
Lewis Atkinson
Lab
Sunderland Central
Question
Why did she not feel it was possible to put an individualised compensation scheme in place for the 10% who did not realise?
Minister reply
Going through 3.5 million women would take extensive staff resources and time, making it unaffordable and impractical.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
How does the Secretary of State think that any pensioner in this country can have faith in a Government who have taken away winter fuel allowance and now do not respect injustice done to WASPI women?
Minister reply
Our commitment to the pension triple lock is delivering significant investment, including an increase of £470 from April and up to £1,900 extra over this Parliament. We believe basic state pension is crucial for security in retirement.
Alan Gemmell
Lab
Central Ayrshire
Question
Asks how the Government plan to support carers over the coming months and years, highlighting the challenges faced by women in caring responsibilities.
Minister reply
Announces an independent review of overpayment of carer’s allowance led by Liz Sayce. Also mentions a significant increase in the earnings threshold for carer’s allowance.
Siân Berry
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
Questions if there are any further steps to ensure women can enjoy levels of security in retirement closer to equal those of their male counterparts.
Minister reply
Highlights the importance of proper notice for changes to state pension age and commitment to the pension triple lock.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Question
Asks for assurance that maladministration leading to this injustice will not happen again.
Minister reply
Promises effective, timely and personalised communication in future changes regarding state pension age.
Alison Bennett
Lib Dem
Mid Sussex
Question
Inquires about the assessment of overruling the ombudsman’s decision on trust issues.
Minister reply
Stresses facing responsibilities directly and ensuring fairness in approach.
Chris McDonald
Lab
Stockton North
Question
Acknowledges disappointment but emphasises the importance of the pension triple lock compared to previous Conservative Government’s breaking of it.
Minister reply
Reiterates that the Conservatives broke the triple lock, affecting many pensioners.
Llinos Medi
PC
Ynys Môn
Question
Expresses concern about the impact of this decision on 1950s-born women and asks for specific benefits.
Minister reply
Explains that the issue is settled by Parliament and courts, focusing instead on future communication strategies.
Joshua Reynolds
Lib Dem
Maidenhead
Question
Questions how WASPI women can believe there’s no compensation when additional borrowing is announced.
Minister reply
Explains that compensating would not be fair or proportionate with 90% of affected women already knowing the change.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
Question
Charges betrayal and a lack of trust in politics due to this decision.
Minister reply
Highlights planned investments in NHS, minimum wage increase, and carer’s allowance threshold rise.
Vikki Slade
Lib Dem
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Question
Critiques the timing of this decision as well as questions about future pension age increases.
Minister reply
Asserts that future decisions will ensure sufficient notice for changes in state pension age.
Sorcha Eastwood
Alliance
Lagan Valley
Question
Expresses disappointment and lack of trust due to this decision.
Minister reply
Reaffirms commitment to lessons learned from previous maladministration but stands firm on the ombudsman’s report.
Alex Brewer
Lib Dem
North East Hampshire
Question
Asks if today's announcement is a fair solution for WASPI women based on past campaign promises.
Minister reply
Clarifies that the decision is about communication and not the increase in state pension age itself.
Shockat Adam
Ind
Leicester South
Question
In July, this country overwhelmingly voted for a change, but it is getting more of the same—more failure and more austerity. Nothing has changed apart from the excuses. It is no wonder that the Prime Minister’s approval rating has plummeted to minus 66%. Given that Labour has recently removed even more money from our pensioners’ pockets by taking away the winter fuel payment, will the Secretary of State please reconsider this betrayal and compensate the WASPI women?
Minister reply
I am sure the hon. Gentleman supports an increase in the minimum wage that will deliver a £1,400-a-year pay increase for someone who is working full time on the minimum wage in Leicester. I am sure he agrees with the £22 billion additional investment in the NHS this year and next, and with a boost of £420 per year on average for people on universal credit in Leicester through the fair repayment rate.
Tom Gordon
Lib Dem
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Question
The constituents I represent include thousands of WASPI women who will be disappointed by today’s statement. A number of references have been made to the campaigning that the Secretary of State has done with WASPI women. Does she feel regret that she has led them up the garden path towards believing that they might get some compensation, and while she has apologised for the Government’s part in the maladministration, will she apologise directly to the WASPI women in her constituency?
Minister reply
We were campaigning against the increase in the state pension age, and we had all sorts of proposals in our 2019 manifesto. We lost that election, and the courts have since decided that the increase in the state pension age was legal, so this decision is not about that.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Question
Many, many WASPI women will be appalled by the Secretary of State’s statement. When they look at today’s proceedings, would they be right in concluding that this Government were prepared to resolve the pensions of mineworkers, but not those of WASPI women?
Minister reply
We are prepared to take difficult decisions if we think that they are fair and right.
Claire Young
Lib Dem
Thornbury and Yate
Question
I am sure that the 69-year-old who contacted me explaining how she had missed out on being able to care for her dying mother due to needing to work longer would have welcomed a letter giving her enough notice to plan her finances to allow otherwise. What support can the Secretary of State offer WASPI women, who are still disproportionately taking on caring responsibilities?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady raises a really important point.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Question
I do not think I have ever seen quite so many glum faces on the Labour Benches, not for the two-child benefit cap or the winter fuel payment—this is beyond the pale. A handful of Labour Members have stood up and spoken their mind on this issue, and I commend them on that, but the Secretary of State has not answered the question of whether this House will be given a debate and a vote, which should happen in Government time.
Minister reply
Back Benchers can put forward proposals for debates, as can Opposition parties. If the main Opposition party wants to do so, it would be perfectly at liberty to do so.
Jessica Brown-Fuller
Lib Dem
Chichester
Question
I and my colleagues on the Liberal Democrat Benches thought that today’s statement might be an early Christmas present for the WASPI women in my constituency and across the country. All those women will now be understandably devastated, and will be asking the same question: if the ombudsman has ruled that they were to have financial redress because of the maladministration and the Government are willing to ignore that finding, what else are this Government willing to ignore?
Minister reply
We do not ignore the ombudsman; we just do not agree with the approach he takes to injustice or to remedy.
Robin Swann
UUP
South Antrim
Question
The Secretary of State has repeated time and again what this statement is not about, but what it is about is this Government not listening to the WASPI women and this Government not listening to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. In the Secretary of State’s statement, she said she will develop a detailed action plan out of the report. Considering that the report missed two thirds of this, especially the financial redress scheme, what action plan is she developing?
Minister reply
This is about how we make sure in such a situation that, once a Department has decided it needs to provide information and to send out letters, we actually do that.
Steffan Aquarone
Lib Dem
North Norfolk
Question
Maladministration is a serious charge. I know the Secretary of State has taken a 360° pummelling on this, but she has declined to say that she would have compensated women if the economy were stronger, and she said it would not have made any difference if the letters had been sent. Surely, however, the overall charge of maladministration applies to the broader fact that women born in the 1950s did not know about these changes. Does she therefore agree with me that the failure is about not the channel, but the message?
Minister reply
No, I do not.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Question
Is not the appalling message from the Government today that maladministration pays? If, as here, we have nationwide maladministration and no consequences, what other conclusion could one reach?
Minister reply
I think it is the precise opposite. We accept what the ombudsman found about the maladministration, and we apologise and we will learn the lessons to put it right.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Question
I say to the Secretary of State that this is neither fair nor right; this is a betrayal. Today, my thoughts are with the brave, dogged campaigners of WASPI Argyll and the Isles, particularly Ann Greer, who has worked so hard for so many years seeking justice.
Minister reply
I would say that the ombudsman’s report itself says there would be a huge cost and administrative burden of going through 3.5 million women individually.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
The right hon. Member expresses disappointment with the Government's stance towards WASPI women, highlighting that while Labour Members previously supported these pensioners, no tangible relief has been provided six months into the new Government. The MP questions why the Government continues to suppress the rights of these women despite recommendations from the ombudsman and emphasises the need for action rather than an apology.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the hon. Gentleman's question and expresses respect towards him. She mentions that while many 1950s-born women will be disappointed, the Government’s commitment to the pensions triple lock, NHS investment, support for family carers through the carer’s allowance, and measures addressing the cost of living crisis, including employment and housing initiatives, represent efforts to help people. The Minister also offers to meet with the hon. Gentleman or his colleagues to discuss this issue further.
Shadow Comment
Helen Whately
Shadow Comment
I thanked the Secretary of State for her statement and acknowledged that the decision not to provide financial compensation will be disappointing to affected women. I questioned whether non-financial remedies would be offered and asked about involvement of WASPI campaigners in developing an action plan. Further, I highlighted the positive impact of the Conservatives on pensioners' welfare through the triple lock and questioned Labour's decision to scrap winter fuel payments.
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