Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

State Pension Errors: Retired Women

Monday 14 September 2020 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is correcting underpayments of category BL basic state pension and reimbursing those affected.
  • The Department is improving training and communication to prevent future miscommunication regarding pension entitlement.
  • The Department encourages anyone who believes they are underpaid state pension to contact the DWP for review.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Cases have been reported where individuals, especially retired women, have received underpaid state pensions due to category BL basic state pension issues. This has affected a significant number of people.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to investigate and rectify the errors made in the payment of the state pension to retired women.

Answer from Guy Opperman

We are aware of a number of cases where individuals have been underpaid category BL basic state pension. We corrected our records and reimbursed those affected as soon as the underpayments were identified, and we continue to check and remedy further cases that are identified.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Up to 130,000 women are potentially affected by underpaid pensions due to category BL basic state pension issues. The Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign has highlighted this issue.

Question

With up to 130,000 women potentially affected and many told wrongly they are not entitled to additional money, what more will the Minister do in light of miscommunication to ensure affected women receive correct information?

Answer from Guy Opperman

As the hon. Lady knows, I cannot comment on live litigation in respect of WASPI women. However, at the judicial review hearing, notification and communication were found for the Government, coalition Government, and Labour Government. In respect of category BL pensions, we are improving training and ability of individuals handling cases.

Partly answered

Not addressed: live litigation

How: Cannot Comment On Live Litigation

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Up to 130,000 women may have been underpaid their state pensions due to category BL basic state pension issues. The issue dates back to changes introduced in 2008.

Question

Joining hon. Friend in paying tribute to WASPI women, what total number has been affected by the Department's error and how does he ensure they receive full amount entitled?

Answer from Guy Opperman

This matter dates from 2008 when Labour introduced changes. The Department continues to check for further cases, reviews awards if found, and pays arrears in accordance with the law. We encourage anyone believing they are underpaid state pension to contact DWP.

Partly answered

How: Cannot Provide Total Number

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Neil Gray SNP
Scotland Benefits & Welfare
Context

The issue of underpaid pensions is compounded by the disproportionate social and economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak on women, particularly those born in the 1950s.

Question

In addition to continuing denial of justice for WASPI women during the pandemic, will the Minister commit to a full impact assessment considering wide-reaching effects felt by 1950s-born women?

Answer from Guy Opperman

Cannot comment on live litigation but High Court found for the Government on all issues. Sections 24, 26, and 28 of Scotland Act give Scottish Government extensive powers to intervene if chosen.

How: Cannot Comment On Live Litigation, Redirecting To Local Government Powers

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Jack Dromey Lab
Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

Up to 130,000 women are awaiting justice due to underpaid pensions. An investigation is ongoing; also, there are concerns about scrapping the triple lock pension increase during UK pensioner poverty.

Question

When will the investigation conclude for affected women to get justice? Will the Secretary of State commit today not to scrap the triple lock, which would add to a long list of U-turns?

Answer from Guy Opperman

Hon. Gentleman needs to talk to his wife, right hon. and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman), as she was Secretary of State under Labour who introduced changes. Coalition Government and Conservative have transformed basic state pension over £1,900 higher than a decade ago.

How: Redirecting To Previous Government

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email