Stuart Anderson MP Supports Women Affected by State Pension Increases
Stuart Anderson MP has called for the prompt delivery of fast and fair compensation to women were affected by two incidents of maladministration – in 2005 and then again in 2006 – when the government at the time could have been better in communicating changes made to the State Pension age.
An estimated 3.5 million women have been affected by the increases. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) final report, published on 21st March 2024, found maladministration in the way that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had failed to communicate with affected women about increases to their State Pension age. The PHSO took the very rare step of instructing Parliament to ensure that the government issues compensation and issue an apology as soon as possible.
In its report, the Ombudsman said “Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy.” Stuart has now urged the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a formal statement in Parliament, issuing a genuine apology to those who have been affected. He has tabled a formal written question in Parliament calling for a compensation scheme and statement to be made in Parliament.
The new government has already failed to bring forward proposals for a financial redress scheme within 100 days of the new Parliament. Stuart has now said that MPs should be given the opportunity to debate and vote on proposals as well as to put forward alternatives for compensation. He added that the scheme should start by acknowledging the worst impacted: those who had the shortest notice of the longest delay to their State Pension age.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“I am committed to ensuring that people who have worked hard all their lives have the dignity and respect that they deserve, while maintaining fairness between the generations. I know that many of my constituents in South Shropshire feel aggrieved about the way in which changes to the State Pension age were communicated by the current governing party when it was last in charge. My own mum is stuck in this situation. I want to see the fast and fair delivery of compensation to women affected by the two incidents of maladministration – in 2005 and then again in 2006 – when the government at the time could have been better in communicating changes made to the State Pension age. The government should carefully consider the Ombudsman’s findings and provide an update to Parliament at the earliest possible opportunity - with the opportunity for MPs to debate and vote on proposals for compensation.”
