The Work and Pensions Committee has today called
on the Government to bring proposals forward before the summer
recess to provide compensation for women born in the 1950s
affected by DWP's failure to communicate increases in the State
Pension age from 1995 onwards.
In a report published in
March, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)
asked Parliament to identify how to provide an appropriate remedy
for those who have suffered injustice due to maladministration on
the part of DWP.
In a letter to Work and Pensions Secretary of State MP, following last week's Committee session
with the PHSO and campaigners from Women Against State Pension
Inequality (WASPI), the Committee focused on what a remedy
might look like. It said the evidence it received indicated
support for payments to be based on the extent of change to an
individual's State Pension age and the notice of change they
received.
The letter adds that there should be some flexibility for
individuals to make the case for a higher level of compensation
based on experiencing direct financial loss.
Rt Hon Sir MP, Chair of the Work and
Pensions Committee, said:
“The debate over the impact of the DWP's failure to communicate
increases in the women's State Pension age has dragged on for too
long and it is time the Government took action to resolve the
issue. There is no perfect solution, but there would seem to be
broad support for a rules-based system of compensation with a
degree of flexibility for cases where women have experienced
direct financial loss. While the Ombudsman has put the matter in
the hands of Parliament, a remedy can only happen with the
support of the Government and we hope Ministers will move quickly
to bring forward its proposal before the summer.”
The Committee will question Mr Stride along with the DWP
Permanent Secretary on 22 May.
