WASPI update on compensation for 1950s women impacted by State Pension age change

Millions of women born in the 1950s have been left in limbo since March 21, awaiting a response from successive UK Governments to the findings and recommendations of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) in its final report. The PHSO found the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) guilty of 'maladministration', having failed to inform women that their State Pension age would rise from 60 to 65, then 66.

Pensions Minister, Emma Reynolds, held discussions with representatives from the WASPI campaign (Women Against State Pension Inequality) in September. However, there has been radio silence regarding when a response to the report will be issued or if and when a compensation proposal will be tabled.

Following responses to fresh queries posed by MPs this week, it appears progress may not be made until early next year.

The PHSO report urged that "Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy" and suggested compensation equivalent to Level four on its banding scale, valued between £1,000 and £2,950.

According to current Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, approximately 3.5 million women have been impacted by the hikes to the official retirement age, reports .

In a riveting call to action during the Business of the House session in Parliament on Thursday, Labour MP Jonathan Hinder ignited a pressing debate, advocating firmly for the Government to provide "clarity on compensation" as recommended by the PHSO in its landmark March report. He also pressed for an opportunity for MPs to scrutinise the report's findings and discuss subsequent actions.

The representative for Pendle and Clitheroe boldly addressed the Commons, insisting: "Women affected by the changes to the State Pension age continue to wait for clarity on the compensation recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in its March report."

Conveying his constituents' anxieties, he declared, "I appreciate the state that the public finances have been left in, and I acknowledge the complexity of this issue, but many of my constituents are concerned that justice is being further delayed. May we have a statement from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the Government's plans to respond to the report, and will MPs be given the opportunity to debate its findings and the next steps? ".

House Leader Lucy Powell acknowledged the release of the critical PHSO report back in March, conceding it demands "serious consideration by the Government".

Despite the apparent urgency, she assured, "I know that it is frustrating, but Ministers are actively doing that as we speak. Of course, once they are ready to do so, they will come to the House with a full response."

This emotive subject was further thrust into the spotlight through written questions to the DWP, which received answers on the same Thursday.

The Lib Dem pensions spokesperson, Steve Darling queried about the possibility of a parliamentary debate on financial redress before the winter recess on December 19.

Eager to press the Government's attention, Darling sought to know if the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, had conferred with the House Leader Lucy Powell over scheduling such a crucial discussion.

In response, the Pensions Minister referenced her proactive engagement stating, "many discussions with Cabinet colleagues" have occurred and asserted her precedence by being the "first Minister in eight years to meet WASPI campaigners to hear their experiences directly".

Liz Reynolds expressed the administration's position, emphasising: "The Ombudsman's report took around five years to complete and deserves serious consideration. This Government respects the work of the Ombudsman and we are currently working through all aspects of the Ombudsman's final report along with the evidence provided during the investigation."

Identical sentiments were echoed when Conservative MP Stuart Anderson raised a similar question regarding talks between the DWP head and Chancellor, Rachel Reeves on "establishing a compensation scheme for women impacted by the State Pension age adjustments".

Amidst these parliamentary exchanges, the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) movement has signalled its intent to stage a protest at Parliament Square on Wednesday, October 30, aligning with the Labour Government's Autumn Budget reveal. With MPs congregating from far and wide, Rachel Reeves is poised to outline her inaugural Budget as Chancellor amidst the clamour for action from the WASPI demonstrators.

WASPI activists will be protesting from 12 to 3pm, demanding compensation for all women born in the 1950s affected by alterations to their State Pension age. The 'WASPI can't wait - compensate' demonstration is the most recent effort by campaigners to maintain attention on a compensation scheme, as suggested by the PHSO.