State Pension Changes: Women

I thank Jim Shannon for his work on this debate and sponsor my private Member's Bill demanding compensation for the 3.8 million women affected by pension age increases without proper notification, including those in my constituency. The Government should have acted after maladministration was found but has ignored the issue for nine years. Alan Brown asked if the Labour party agreed with the principle of compensation for WASPI women, prompting a personal response from Patricia Gibson about fair recompense for affected individuals. Brown suggested that despite ongoing investigations by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, the Government has the authority to initiate compensation measures without waiting for final reports.

Congratulates the hon. Gentleman on securing the debate and his opening speech, urges the Minister to accept the findings from the ombudsman's stage 1 report and act swiftly for compensation.

Compliments the hon. Member for securing the debate, mentions that many women were affected twice by pension changes in 2011; calls on the Government to accept the findings of maladministration. The hon. Member for Denton and Reddish highlighted that the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman found in 2021 that the DWP had committed maladministration by not adequately informing women about changes to their state pension age.

I understand the Minister's position on the specifics and the dates. It is perfectly clear that we are not going to get any indication of a timeline, but does the Minister accept that the WASPI women paid their dues and did their part? We have already seen that maladministration has been found.

I support over 5,000 WASPI women in Ceredigion and commend their campaign group for raising awareness of the injustice they face due to pension changes. Women born after April 6, 1950 have suffered a lifetime of inequality, contributing greatly but now facing financial and emotional hardship because of state changes not communicated properly.

Over 4,000 constituents in Cynon Valley are affected by state pension changes. The DWP has not accepted the findings of maladministration reported by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Compensation for WASPI women is needed now to address poverty and loss of homes due to these changes.

There is a clear message that justice is on the side of the WASPI ladies who, despite their uncomplaining nature and significant contributions to communities, face injustices due to pension maladministration. The speaker urges the Minister to listen closely to these voices if it is determined that action needs to be taken. Seely inquired about a timeline for the completion of the ombudsman's investigation and its subsequent publication.

Thanking the hon. Gentleman for his speech, agrees that justice delayed is justice denied and calls on the Government to compensate WASPI women now. The SNP spokesperson highlights historical injustices faced by women born in the 1950s, including lack of equal pay and societal restrictions. He expects the ombudsman to send this issue back to Parliament for resolution and compensation. Stephens criticises the Government's delay and its £46 billion unfunded tax cuts.

Christine Jardine thanked Patricia Gibson for her intervention, acknowledging the widespread impact of pension age changes on families across the country. She questioned whether the Government fully appreciates the scale of the issue and suggested they should listen to those advocating for change.

Gavin Newlands highlighted the case of over 12,000 WASPI women in Renfrewshire, emphasising a constituent's nine-year-long struggle to seek justice. He criticised the DWP for refusing to accept findings from the ombudsman and urged the government to provide appropriate remedy for affected individuals. Gavin Newlands inquired about Labour's past commitments, specifically mentioning a £58 billion promise made by the previous Labour Government to compensate WASPI women. He also questioned Patricia Gibson on whether compensation should be included in the upcoming manifesto. Will the Minister give way?

Furniss highlighted the historical disadvantage faced by women in pension schemes, noting that they retire with significantly lower savings than men due to longer lifespans and fewer employment opportunities. She also pointed out the gender pay gap, which worsens the situation for women's retirement security.

5,360 women in Liverpool, West Derby constituency are affected by changes to the women's state pension age. The MP supports the campaign for pension justice and acknowledges the efforts of campaigners such as CEDAWinLAW and WASPI. Jane lost her home due to loss of state pension caused by these changes. The MP calls for immediate action from the Government to address this injustice.

The hon. Member for North Antrim echoed support for WASPI women and emphasised the need for a sustainable and equitable pensions system, preventing future injustices.

Congratulates the hon. Member for securing the debate, highlights the missed opportunity in last week's Budget to address the issue and mentions that 260,000 women have died since the campaign started in 2015.

Tens of thousands of women have been plunged into poverty by state pension changes, and many feel abandoned as the investigation has taken too long. Compensation is needed urgently, especially considering the cost of living crisis. The Minister is hiding behind the need to wait until the final report is out, but at around the time of the stage 1 report, the PHSO said that Ministers could be proactive in finding a remedy for 1950s women. What does the Minister say to that?

The shadow Chancellor highlighted the history of debates on this issue from 2015, noting attempts at cross-party agreement for a compensation scheme. He argued that despite initial cost concerns, a £12 billion four-year scheme was affordable given low interest rates. McDonnell urged for urgency and a simple scheme to compensate affected women quickly. Will the Minister give way?

Joins in congratulating the hon. Member for organising the debate; discusses the potential draft reports from the ombudsman which could lead to restitution, highlights complexity of compensation due to different levels of injustice faced by women.

Will the Minister give way?

Kenny MacAskill focused on injustice and restitution, comparing past injustices like the Horizon scandal and blood scandal. He argued that women who have suffered due to state pension changes should receive compensation for both financial loss and unquantifiable emotional damage.

The MP highlighted the impact of state pension age changes on women born in the 1950s, noting that while his wife was affected but lucky, many others faced destitution and relied on their spouses for survival. He cited a constituent's experience of being unable to secure employment due to discrimination against older women. The WASPI campaign reported that 70% of its members had reduced weekly spending, with over half struggling to pay essential bills and one in four unable to afford food. Tens of thousands of affected women have lost their lives since the issue began.

Patricia Gibson expressed deep concern over the UK Government's inaction regarding WASPI women, highlighting the moral duty to deliver justice and compensation for those impacted by pension age changes. She emphasized the urgent need for fair recompense that reflects the hardship experienced by these women due to financial distress and emotional trauma caused by delays. As has happened with other judgments in a legal context, will the Minister commit his Government at the very minimum to implementing the judgment of the ombudsman? Or will they try to fight it, obfuscate and kick it into the long grass?

The state pension changes disproportionately affect women due to career breaks for childcare and unequal pay. I urge the government to address these inequalities immediately to ensure fairness in retirement income.

Thanks the hon. Member for securing the debate, mentions that he has to leave early and refers to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's stage 1 report which confirmed that WASPI women were not properly advised.

Gibson requested a guarantee that the Department is fully cooperating with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's investigation into state pension changes affecting women born in the 1950s.

I am concerned that women's state pension ages are rising rapidly, causing financial hardship for many. Women born in the mid-1950s have faced particularly steep changes, with some seeing their pension age rise by seven years.

Thanks the hon. Member for securing the debate, mentions that over 8,000 WASPI women live in her constituency and many are financially struggling; one constituent had to sell their home.

The MP paid tribute to WASPI campaigners and highlighted the injustice suffered by women due to DWP maladministration. He mentioned that about 260,000 WASPI women have died during the campaign's lifetime. The MP argued for compensation based on PHSO recommendations and stressed the urgency of fair compensation given the cost of living crisis and pension inequality issues.