Labor MP calls for vote on State Pension age compensation for women WASPI | Personal Finance | Finance

Labor MP Andy McDonald has urged the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to allow MPs to “vote on proposals for financial redress” for the millions of women affected by changes to the State pension age. The Middlesbrough and Thornaby East representative also grilled the DWP last week about its response to the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman’s (PHSO) final report.

Published on March 21, the report criticized the DWP for “mismanagement”, accusing it of failing to adequately inform women born in the 1950s that the State Pension age would rise from 60 to 65 and then to 66. The PHSO suggested that “Parliament must urgently identify a mechanism to provide this appropriate solution” and proposed compensation at level four of its scale, which equates to between £1,000 and £2,950.

Despite repeated calls from members across political divides, the DWP is still scrutinizing the PHSO report, with Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds not directly addressing Mr McDonald’s recent consultation. In her written response on 11 October, the Pensions Minister stated: “As a newly formed Government, we will need time to review and consider the Ombudsman’s report together with the evidence provided during the investigation.”

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

Ms Reynolds stated: “The issues outlined in the report are significant and complex and as such require serious deliberation. Once this work has been carried out, the Government will be in a position to outline its approach.”

She also mentioned her active dialogue with stakeholders: “As part of this work, I met with representatives from the WASPI Campaign (Women Against State Pension Inequality) on 5th September.”

The question posed by Mr McDonald about the DWP’s acknowledgment of errors as found in the PHSO report received a familiar response from Ms Reynolds, reflecting previous statements, the Daily Record reports.

Despite questions put to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and the Pensions Minister during DWP parliamentary sittings on 7 October aimed at progressing compensation efforts, setbacks were revealed due to the ‘complexity’ of the final findings of the final report. When asked on four separate occasions when plans to reward WASPI women would be revealed, the consistent response highlighted the need for “additional time to review” the intricate conclusions and recommendations contained in the report.

Based on the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), approximately 3.5 million women born in the 1950s have been negatively affected by changes to the State pension age. As the Labor Party passes 100 days in office, WASPI (Women Against State Pensions Inequality) activists are stepping up their efforts to pressure government ministers to speed up the delivery of compensation plans, with a view to to the next Autumn Budget scheduled for Wednesday, October 30th.

Angela Madden, president of WASPI, criticized the incumbent administration for dragging its feet, saying: “This government campaigned on the argument of being the party of social justice and getting things done, but as Labor marks 100 days in power, the their lack of progress means ministers risk continuing to attack the Conservatives.”

She also highlighted the growing support among Labor MPs: “Since the general election, we have received the support of hundreds of Labor MPs and we are pleased to see so many new MPs supporting our calls for compensation. Like us, these MPs know that enforcement The recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman and the Special Committee on Work and Pensions without delay is the only solution to this historic injustice.”

Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions Spokesperson Steve Darling MP emphasized his party’s position on an issue that affects countless women: “The Liberal Democrats have long supported fair and swift compensation for WASPI women, and we will continue defending the millions of women across the country waiting for justice.”

Adding pressure on the powers that be, he urged the government to act promptly: “Ministers must act quickly on behalf of women born in the 1950s and implement the findings of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report without delay.”

In a show of solidarity and demand for action, WASPI activists are prepared to mobilize during a crucial fiscal event. They will gather in Parliament Square on 30 October, converging to voice their call for timely and equitable redress during the unveiling of the Chancellor’s Budget.

The ‘WASPI Can’t Wait – Make Up’ protest is scheduled from 12pm to 3pm, marking a critical call for recognition and redress.