Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

State Pension Age: Women

Monday 23 January 2023 · 3 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

  • Christine Jardine inquired about compensation for women affected by state pension age changes.
  • The Department cannot comment further on the ombudsman's investigation.
  • Richard Graham invited a Minister to join him at a Jobcentre event for over-50s.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Changes in the state pension age have disproportionately impacted women born in the 1950s, causing significant financial hardship. The ombudsman concluded that the Department for Work and Pensions was at fault.

Question

Whether his Department plans to take steps to compensate women affected by changes in the state pension age. One of the first issues raised with me since being elected in 2017 involved the inequality faced by women born in the 1950s due to these changes. Given that the ombudsman has concluded the DWP was at fault, will the Government commit to fulfilling the ombudsman's recommendations? Until then, will the Minister encourage the Scottish Government to use their powers to alleviate suffering?

Answer from Laura Trott

The investigation by the ombudsman is ongoing, so I cannot comment further beyond what is already in the public domain at this stage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to follow recommendations and encouragement for Scottish Government action

How: Ongoing Investigation

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Q2 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

Changes in the state pension age have disproportionately impacted women born in the 1950s, causing significant financial hardship. The ombudsman concluded that the Department for Work and Pensions was at fault.

Question

One of the very first issues raised with me by constituents when I was elected in 2017 was the inequality faced by women born in the 1950s, yet in the almost six years since then, this Government have done nothing to fix that. Given that the ombudsman has concluded that the Department for Work and Pensions was at fault in its administration, will the Government commit to fulfilling the ombudsman's recommendations? In the meantime, will the Minister encourage the Scottish Government to use the powers they have to alleviate the suffering of such women?

Answer from Laura Trott

The ongoing investigation by the ombudsman prevents me from commenting further at this stage beyond what is in the public domain.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to follow recommendations and encouragement for Scottish Government action

How: Ongoing Investigation

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Q3 Richard Graham Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

An initiative to hold an event focusing on employment opportunities for individuals aged 50 and above, both men and women.

Question

Of course, the other side of the coin is not leaving the workplace too soon. Will my hon. Friend support holding an event specifically for over-50s in Gloucester Jobcentre Plus to see what local employers can offer? Would a Minister join me there?

Answer from Laura Trott

My hon. Friend does excellent work in his constituency, and my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman), the Minister for Employment, has indicated that he would be delighted to join my hon. Friend in Gloucester.

Answered
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