New update as Labour MP calls for State Pension age compensation vote for WASPI women

Labour's Andy McDonald also pressed the DWP on the steps it is taking to consider the issues in the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's (PHSO) final report

Labour MP Andy McDonald has called on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to allow MPs to "vote on proposals for financial redress" for the millions of women impacted by the changes to their State Pension age. The Middlesbrough and Thornaby East representative also questioned the DWP last week about the actions it's taking in response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's (PHSO) final report.

Released on March 21, the report accused the DWP of 'maladministration' for not adequately informing women born in the 1950s that their State Pension age would increase from 60 to 65, and then to 66. The PHSO suggested that "Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism for providing that appropriate remedy" and proposed compensation at Level four of its scale, which amounts to between £1,000 and £2,950.

Despite repeated appeals from members across the political spectrum, the DWP is still reviewing the PHSO report, with Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds failing to directly address Mr McDonald's recent enquiry. In her written reply on October 11, the Pensions Minister stated: "As a newly formed Government we will need time to review and consider the Ombudsman's report along with the evidence provided during the investigation."

She added, "Now the election has concluded we need to consider the views that have been expressed on all sides."

Ms Reynolds asserted: "The issues outlined in the report are significant and complex, as such they require serious deliberation. Once this work has been undertaken, the Government will be in a position to outline its approach.", reports the Daily Record.

She further noted her engagement with affected parties: "As part of this work, I met with representatives from the WASPI Campaign (Women Against State Pension Inequality) on the 5 September."

The question put forward by Mr McDonald regarding the DWP's acceptance of maladministration findings in the PHSO's report was met with a consistent reply from Ms Reynolds, mirroring the response given previously.

Despite DWP parliamentary questions fielded to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and the Pensions Minister on October 7 urging for advancement in compensation plans, further hold-ups were disclosed, attributed to the 'complexity' of the final report's conclusions. When questioned on four separate instances about when proposals would be brought forth to compensate the WASPI women, the uniform answer indicated the need for more 'time to review' the detailed findings and suggestions presented in the report.

Per present Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, it is estimated that around 3.5 million women born in the 1950s have suffered due to the increased retirement age regulations. With Labour having held power for over 100 days, WASPI campaigners are mounting pressure on ministers to expedite compensation proposals, all the while looking towards the imminent Autumn Budget scheduled for Wednesday, October 30.

Angela Madden, Chair of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) Campaign, criticised the current government's inaction on their cause: "This Government campaigned on the grounds of being the party of social justice and of getting things done, yet as Labour marks 100 days in power, their lack of progress means ministers risk continuing the can-kicking of the Conservatives."

She highlighted the growing support from Labour MPs: "Since the general election, we have welcomed support from hundreds of Labour MPs and are pleased to see so many new MPs backing our calls for compensation. Like us, these MPs know that carrying out the recommendations of both the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Work and Pensions Select Committee without delay is the only remedy for this historic injustice."

Echoing similar sentiments, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Work and Pensions, Steve Darling MP, underscored his party’s stance: "The Liberal Democrats have long supported fair and fast compensation for WASPI women, and we will continue to advocate for the millions of women across the country awaiting justice."

He pressed the government for urgent action: "Ministers must quickly step up for 1950s-born women and implement the findings of the Parliamentary Ombudsman's report without delay."

There is a protest planned to coincide with the Chancellor's Budget announcement. WASPI campaigners plan to convene in Parliament Square on October 30, calling on ministers to present swift and just recompense proposals.

The 'WASPI can't wait - compensate' demonstration is slotted in between 12 and 3pm.