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Women’s Changed State Pension Age: Compensation
15 January 2025
Lead MP
John Hayes
South Holland and The Deepings
Con
Responding Minister
Torsten Bell
Tags
NHS
Word Count: 14255
Other Contributors: 33
At a Glance
John Hayes raised concerns about women’s changed state pension age: compensation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The right hon. Member calls on the Government to recognise the justice of this campaign and implement a compensation scheme as recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The genesis of betrayal is trust—the kind that underpins democratic legitimacy and the authority of Parliament. This trust was breached with women affected by changes to State Pension age, leading to a loss of faith in institutions like the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. The inadequate notice given when pension ages were equalised has caused significant hardship for many women, especially those who had prepared for their retirement only to find themselves having to work longer than expected.
Anna Sabine
LD
Frome and East Somerset
Asked if ignoring an independent ombudsman’s report looks like more of the same to constituents.
Ayoub Khan
Ind
Birmingham Perry Barr
The current Government uses cost as an excuse for not compensating WASPI women, while allocating significant funds elsewhere, such as additional payments to train drivers. Calls for urgent action to establish a comprehensive compensation scheme for WASPI women, suggesting it could be done over time without raising hundreds of millions of pounds at once. He emphasises the need for transparency and accountability.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
Supports the WASPI campaign, highlighting financial hardship faced by women due to government maladministration. She argues that there is a moral imperative for compensation based on precedents such as Equitable Life investors and Post Office scandal victims.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
In Upper Bann and Northern Ireland, thousands of women feel betrayed by the Government's failure to provide financial support despite the hardships they face.
Simon Opher
Lab
Stroud
The hon. Gentleman appeals for non-partisan discussion on compensating the most affected WASPI women, advocating that it should not be a party political issue.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
He stated that over a decade of standing with local campaigners demanding justice for WASPI women remains undeniable and urged the Minister to address this injustice. Asked for clarification on when the acceleration of state pension age changes occurred and questioned the claim that there was no financial loss for affected women.
Epsom and Ewell
Congratulates the right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings on securing this important debate.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Points out that this issue affects women across the UK, not just a specific social class, with 370 people in his constituency signing the petition.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Asked if the Minister would give way on the point and later criticized the government for rejecting an ombudsman’s report.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
On behalf of 5,000 WASPI women in Strangford, he beseeches the Government to take the right decision and make the just decision for them. It is a moral obligation as well. He expressed righteous anger for elderly women who were misled by inadequate communication from Government, preventing them from planning financially for an earlier retirement.
John McDonnell
Ind
Hayes and Harlington
Referenced Labour’s 2019 manifesto commitment to design a system of recompense for WASPI women, urging action despite the cost.
Kanishka Narayan
Lab
Vale of Glamorgan
Asked if the Minister would give way but was declined.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
She highlighted the campaign's success by these women who were undervalued throughout their careers but made significant contributions. She called for a vote on compensation in the House of Commons.
Lillian Jones
Lab
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
The Government were right to apologise for the delay in writing to the 1950s-born women, but they should reconsider their decision not to fully implement the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman recommendation to pay compensation. The financial hardship that WASPI women have experienced is a direct consequence of the pension age increase.
Stratford-on-Avon
Rejecting the ombudsman’s recommendations for compensation undermines the credibility of independent bodies holding the Government accountable.
Melanie Onn
Lab
Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
The right hon. Gentleman's current stance is questioned for being inconsistent with his past voting record, particularly regarding a motion in support of WASPI women. She asked what the Conservative policy was regarding WASPI women and questioned whether there is any plan in place.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
My hon. Friend questions the Government's position of accepting maladministration but refusing remedy due to perceived difficulty in implementation.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
He emphasized his commitment to WASPI women, supporting them not only during elections but always and pledged to continue fighting for justice.
Emma Lewell-Buck
Lab
South Shields
Expresses support for the more than 5,000 women in South Shields affected by pension age changes. She argues that Parliament should make the final decision on compensation and criticises the government's failure to act.
Poole
Questioned whether the Government’s claim that only 10% of affected women were unaware of state pension changes is based on a survey from 2006 involving just 210 respondents.
Tiverton and Minehead
Asked Sir John Hayes if he would give way but was declined.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Critiqued the decision not to introduce a compensation scheme, arguing it goes against justice for WASPI women who have been fighting for recognition and support.
Robin Swann
UUP
South Antrim
Mr. Swann raised another case where the DWP failed to inform a pensioner about changes in their pension, leaving them £3,000 worse off annually.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Questions the Government's position on a compensation scheme, highlighting concerns about the robustness of DWP research and the disregard for ombudsman findings.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Cited research showing that only 43% of women knew their state pension age, questioning the effectiveness of earlier communication. Expressed disappointment with the government's decision and called for a parliamentary vote on the issue, questioning the Prime Minister’s knowledge or care regarding support for WASPI women.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Called for clarity on whether the Government accept maladministration and challenged dodgy polls suggesting women knew about changes.
Sorcha Eastwood
Alliance
Lagan Valley
The hon. Lady adds that the generation of women affected by discriminatory provisions deserves better recognition and compensation for their lifetime struggles.
North Norfolk
His constituent Lauraine took early retirement from the NHS to care for her husband but never received any notification from the DWP about her state pension. She feels angry and let down, agreeing with his colleague that it is shocking.
Torbay
There are 6,930 WASPI women in his constituency and a similar number in Newton Abbot over the border. The Government must address the recommendations of the ombudsman regarding communications and impact on women.
Susan Murray
LD
Mid Dunbartonshire
Proudly associates herself with the campaign and calls for the Government to do a U-turn and implement the ombudsman’s recommendation, despite acknowledging that many people feel women should not be entitled to compensation.
Torsten Bell
Lab
Dunfermline and West Fife
Clarified that Parliament endorsed decisions made regarding state pension age changes despite maladministration, noting the complexities of introducing a compensation scheme. Explained that a tailored compensation scheme was not viable due to cost and administrative burden, and defended the decision based on evidence.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
The Government's acknowledgment of maladministration without financial backing undermines the ombudsman’s role and public confidence in politicians.
North East Fife
Agrees that it is important for the Government to adhere to decisions made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to maintain trust in institutions.
Government Response
Torsten Bell
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Government Response
Explains that the Government considers the concerns raised by right hon. and hon. Members, recognising the squeeze on living standards affecting women born in the 1950s. The decision was based on evidence regarding communication issues identified in the ombudsman’s report. The Minister reiterates previous government actions to address the issue, including personalised letters sent starting April 2009 and an apology for a delay of 28 months as recommended by the ombudsman. They are committed to learning from past mistakes and improving communication strategies moving forward. Explained that the decision not to introduce a compensation scheme was based on research indicating limited impact from unsolicited letters, noting higher awareness levels among affected women. Emphasised trust in Parliament's endorsement of state pension age changes despite ombudsman findings. Explained that a tailored compensation scheme was not viable due to the cost and administrative burden, defended the decision based on evidence, highlighted government investments in NHS England, and stated the importance of providing a secure foundation for retirement.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.