Women’s State Pension Age Communication: PHSO Report Debate

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Department: Department for Work and Pensions

Women’s State Pension Age Communication: PHSO Report

Gregory Campbell Excerpts
Tuesday 17th December 2024

(1 day, 10 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Liz Kendall Portrait Liz Kendall
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We were campaigning against the increase in the state pension age, and we had all sorts of proposals in our 2019 manifesto. We lost that election, and the courts have since decided that the increase in the state pension age was legal, so this decision is not about that. All I would say to WASPI women in my constituency—I have no doubt that they will contact me—is that I believe this is the fair and right decision. We are committed to supporting the lives of 1950s-born women, but we do not believe that the ombudsman’s approach on injustice or remedy is the right way forward, which is why we have taken this decision.

Gregory Campbell Portrait Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)
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Many, many WASPI women will be appalled by the Secretary of State’s statement. When they look at today’s proceedings, would they be right in concluding that this Government were prepared to resolve the pensions of mineworkers, but not those of WASPI women?