State Pension Underpayments and Arrears for Women Debate
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Baroness Wheatcroft
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State Pension Underpayments and Arrears for Women
Baroness Wheatcroft Excerpts(2 years, 9 months ago)
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Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con)
Even if somebody is divorced, their ex-husband’s contributions to NI will still be taken into account when deciding their pension award. That has always been the case and it will be the case on this.
Baroness Wheatcroft (CB)
My Lords, when more than £60 million that should have been paid has not been paid, surely somebody should be held responsible in the end for that error. In the private sector, the sum of £60 million would be taken very seriously. Can the Minister tell us, therefore, who was ultimately responsible for this failure to pay such a large sum of money?
Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con)
The shortfall or underpayment was identified as a result of a marker on the computer system not working correctly. We put it right and we are doing our best to pay people what they should have. It should not have happened, but ultimately the Government must take responsibility.