The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has provided an update in response to an online petition regarding a State Pension age compensation plan, brought forth by the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign (WASPI). The petition, signed by over 132,000 individuals, calls on the UK Government to fairly compensate women born in the 1950s who have been impacted by changes to their State Pension age.
The petition specifically requests for a compensation scheme to be established by March 21, 2025, in alignment with recommendations from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) final report. The DWP, in a written response on December 10, indicated that the government is currently reviewing the PHSO report and will outline its approach following this evaluation, without providing a specific timeline for a compensation scheme announcement.
The DWP highlighted the series of Acts through which changes to the State Pension age were made, including the Pensions Act 1995, the Pensions Act 2007, and subsequent acts that accelerated the timetables for increasing the State Pension age. The DWP clarified that the PHSO’s report primarily focuses on the communication of State Pension age changes to specific groups of women rather than the changes themselves.
In response to the PHSO report, the DWP acknowledged the seriousness of the findings and stated that the government is actively considering the report. The Minister for Pensions has engaged with representatives from WASPI Ltd and parliamentary groups to understand the concerns of the affected women. The DWP reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting pensioners and ensuring financial security in retirement through the State Pension.
As the petition has surpassed 100,000 signatures, it is now eligible for consideration by the Petitions Committee for a potential debate in Parliament. The full petition and the DWP response can be accessed on the petitions-parliament website.
In conclusion, the DWP’s response to the State Pension age compensation plan petition reflects ongoing government review and consideration of the PHSO report. The call for fair compensation for women affected by State Pension age changes continues to be a topic of significance, with stakeholders advocating for timely and just resolutions in addressing this issue.