Yahoo News WASPI MPs hit out at 'disturbing' DWP decision as discussions 'broke down'
MPs backing the WASPI cause have put the issue back on the table in the House of Commons, citing the 'disturbing' manner in which ministers have dealt with the controversy. The WASPI campaign group (Women Against State Pension Inequality) are pushing on to demand compensation for women born in the 1950s.
They allege they weren't adequately told by the DWP about the state pension age hike from 60 to 65 and subsequently to 66. Although the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman advised compensations as high as £2,950 after reviewing the case, at the end of last year Labour stated there would be no payouts.
When the Ombudsman put forth recommendations on potential payouts in a March 2023 report, it asked Parliament to intervene, expressing concern that the DWP might overlook its proposals. This week, during discussions on adjusting state pensions and other benefits, Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling expressed his frustration with the Government's chosen approach.
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He said: "In evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee, the Ombudsman suggested that there is usually a bit of a conversation between the Ombudsman and the Government about what would be an acceptable system or compensation approach. Sadly that never happened as far as the WASPI women are concerned. One is disturbed to understand why that never happened, why was there the breakdown in communication between the ombudsman and the previous Conservative Government that appears to have happened?"
He said he would be investigating the matter further, adding: "I am looking to explore that with the Ombudsman in another way." The Lib Dems now have a presence of 72 seats in the Commons, and have consistently backed the WASPI campaign. Mr Darling also commented: "The WASPI women have in effect been victims of a decision of this Government.
"It was really pleasing that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions welcomed the report, acknowledged it and apologised, but sadly she did not actually action the report. That gives me great displeasure, as well as many other people across the United Kingdom."
Adding to this sentiment, the SNP's Seamus Logan warned of an "outdated approach to social security" that historically led to unfair treatment in how people were treated as regards their pensions. He cited the WASPI case where "the PHSO again found that the DWP had committed maladministration in communicating those pension changes to WASPI women".
In recent developments, MPs have passed a bill by the SNP's Stephen Flynn, which would make the Government consider establishing a compensation scheme for the WASPI women. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced that there would be no compensation shortly before the Christmas recess.
She argued that "the vast majority" of the WASPI generation of women were aware of changes to their state pension. She also stated that the cost of a payout scheme could not be justified for the taxpayer.
The Government released a statement saying: "The Government does not agree with the Ombudsman’s approach to injustice and remedy, which has informed the conclusion that there should be no financial compensation to 1950s-born women. A blanket compensation scheme, which could cost taxpayers up to £10.5billion, cannot be justified when evidence shows 90% of women knew about state pension age changes and letters would not have made a significant difference for those who were not aware."
