DWP told to apply new State Pension rate to all pensioners because it's 'fair'

A WASPI woman has launched a petition urging for the new state pension rates to be applied to all state pensioners. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is facing calls from the petition creator to implement a £200 uplift for state pensioners.

The woman wrote: "I’m a WASPI woman that was affected by State Pension change like plenty of other Women and also missed out on the new State Pension on the 6th April 2016. I believe it is not right that pensioners who are on the new pension can get over £200 a month more.

"I think it’s not right that people who have worked all their lives and some who have been on benefits all of their lives get more pension. We believe this is unfair." At 10,000 signatures, the government will respond to this petition and at 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.

READ MORE Martin Lewis issues Barclaycard warning over 'worrying under-the-radar change'

It comes weeks after an ombudsman ruled thousands of women affected by the WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) issue are entitled to DWP compensation. A final report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has concluded the DWP failed to adequately inform those affected when the state pension age for women was increased from 60 to 65, to equalise it with men.

PHSO chief executive, Rebecca Hilsenrath, said: "The UK’s national ombudsman has made a finding of failings by DWP in this case and has ruled that the women affected are owed compensation. DWP has clearly indicated that it will refuse to comply.

"This is unacceptable. The department must do the right thing and it must be held to account for failure to do so. Complainants should not have to wait and see whether DWP will take action to rectify its failings. Given the significant concerns we have that it will fail to act on our findings and given the need to make things right for the affected women as soon as possible, we have proactively asked Parliament to intervene and hold the Department to account.

"Parliament now needs to act swiftly, and make sure a compensation scheme is established. We think this will provide women with the quickest route to remedy."