Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

State Pension Age Changes: Compensation

Monday 13 May 2024 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The government is considering the ombudsman's report on providing compensation to women born in the 1950s affected by state pension age changes.
  • The report's complexity and the large sums involved require thorough and careful consideration.
  • The government is committed to not delaying the matter unduly and will return to the House with a response.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neale Hanvey
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The ombudsman's report has been laid before Parliament and is under consideration. A Scottish Daily Express report notes that seven in 10 members of the public support financial compensation for women born in the 1950s.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of providing compensation to women born in the 1950s affected by changes to the state pension age? The ombudsman's report recommended compensation, but the government is not acting on it. Will they now listen to public opinion and provide proper financial redress?

Answer from Mel Stride

There are a variety of opinions as to what the outcome should be, including recommendations in the ombudsman's report and counter-views. Considering the potential large sums involved, it is important to take appropriate time to consider the report thoroughly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to financial redress despite public support

How: There Are A Variety Of Opinions, We Need To Consider Carefully

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Q2 Neale Hanvey
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The ombudsman's report recommended compensation for women born in the 1950s, but there is no decision on the matter.

Question

Some were asking for £10,000 compensation per person. Could the Secretary of State indicate whether he will make a decision and when?

Answer from Mel Stride

The report is under detailed consideration; it is important to look carefully at the conclusions of the report and listen to what Parliament has to say.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to a specific decision timeline

How: We Are Looking At Matters Extremely Carefully

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Q3 Peter Bottomley Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The ombudsman's report recommended compensation between £1,000 and just under £3,000.

Question

Could the Secretary of State indicate whether he will make a decision on the report recommendations?

Answer from Mel Stride

I cannot prejudge the outcome of the detailed set of considerations. The report was complex and took five years to complete, so we are looking at it carefully.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to making a decision based on recommendations

How: We Need To Look Very Carefully

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Q4 Mike Amesbury Lab
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The ombudsman's report has been laid before Parliament and it is under consideration.

Question

When can we expect the response to the ombudsman's report?

Answer from Mel Stride

The report was complex, taking five years to complete. We are looking at it extremely carefully.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline for response

How: We Need To Look Very Carefully

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Q5 Marco Longhi
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The ombudsman's report recommended compensation and the Secretary of State has indicated that there will be no undue delay in coming to conclusions.

Question

Can the Secretary of State look into this matter with great pace?

Answer from Mel Stride

There will be no undue delay, and we are considering the report thoroughly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to increased pace of consideration

How: No Undue Delay

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Q6 David Linden SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The ombudsman laid the report before Parliament as it could not trust the Government to deal with it.

Question

Does the Secretary of State have confidence in the ombudsman and accept its report?

Answer from Mel Stride

We are considering the report thoroughly and it will come back to the House without undue delay.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly state confidence or acceptance of the report

How: Considering The Report Thoroughly

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Q7 David Linden SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The ombudsman laid the report before Parliament and nine WASPI women died during a recent Select Committee hearing.

Question

Is not the issue that the Government hopes this matter will be lost during an election campaign, ignoring it until more women die?

Answer from Mel Stride

I do not accept that assessment. We are putting considerable time and effort into taking this matter extremely seriously.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm or deny ignoring the issue for political reasons

How: We Are Taking It Seriously

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