WASPI update as DWP responds to calls for ‘financial redress’ | Personal Finance | Finance

The WASPI campaign has taken a step forward as ministers have responded to calls for “financial redress” for women affected by the issue.

WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaigners are calling for compensation for the millions of women born in the 1950s whose pension plans were thrown into disarray when they realized their state pension age would be raised from 60 to 65.

Many individual MPs have supported the cause, but ultimately the government must decide whether or not to provide compensation and how much.

Recent moves include 90 MPs from all three major political parties backing an early motion for a debate on setting up a “proper plan” for compensation.

One of the signatories, Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake, also asked in Parliament whether House of Commons Leader Lucy Powell would “allow a vote on financial redress proposals contained in the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman’s report on changes.” of the state pension age for women, which expires on March 21, 2024.

Ms Powell responded: “The Ombudsman has found that the DWP did not properly inform women of the WASPI generation about the change. The group published a report in March saying the women should receive payouts of between £1,000 and £2,950.”

“Given the importance and complexity of the issue, the Government is taking the time necessary to properly review and consider the Ombudsman’s report.

“Once the government has set out its approach, options for the House to debate this matter will be considered in the usual manner.”

Under the previous government, the campaign made some progress in Parliament, with the Work and Pensions Committee supporting calls for the government to set up pay plans.

Labor MP Sir Stephen Timms, now a DWP minister, previously said as chairman of the committee: “The debate about the impact of the DWP’s failure to communicate increases in the statutory pension age for women has dragged on for too long and it is “It’s about time.” The government has taken measures to solve the problem.

“There is no perfect solution, but there appears to be broad support for a rules-based compensation system with a degree of flexibility for cases where women have suffered direct financial loss.”

Former SNP MP Alan Brown, who lost his seat to Labor in the general election, also tabled a bill that would require the government to pay women compensation.

Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, argued for compensation payments, saying: “The Ombudsman’s report says: We have not been given enough information and have not been properly informed about the impact of the pension changes on us.”

“The ombudsman said we deserve compensation and an apology. That’s very clear.”

On October 30, Budget Day, activists will once again raise their voices and demonstrate outside Parliament.