Women’s State Pension Age Communication: PHSO Report

Debate between Liz Kendall and Gavin Williamson

Tuesday 17th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Liz Kendall]

We do not agree with the ombudsman’s approach to injustice or compensation. We do not believe that sending those letters earlier, even though we should have done, would have made the difference that the ombudsman claims. We do not believe that, given that 90% of 1950s-born women knew that the state pension age was increasing, a flat-rate compensation scheme costing up to £10.5 billion is a fair or appropriate use of taxpayers’ money. However, we will learn lessons from that maladministration to ensure that it never happens again.

[Sir Gavin Williamson (Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge) (Con)]

Every single one of us in this House relies on the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to ensure that our constituents get redress. When the PHSO made a similar judgment against Equitable Life, the Government came forward with a compensation programme. Will the Secretary of State commit to having a binding vote in this House on the decision, so that the House can decide whether what the Government are proposing is justice for WASPI women? I certainly do not believe that it is.

[Liz Kendall]

I am sure the right hon. Gentleman could have encouraged his party to do a compensation scheme when he was in government. The reason the ombudsman actually referred the report to Parliament was because he did not believe the last Government when they were running the Department for Work and Pensions would deal with it properly. This Government take our responsibility seriously, and that is why we have come to Parliament today to make this difficult decision.