Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Maria Caulfield and Guy Opperman

Monday 7th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Maria Caulfield (Lewes) (Con)]

7. What support her Department is providing to women working for longer before reaching state pension age.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Guy Opperman)]

We have extended the right to request flexible working, abolished the default retirement age, and introduced and financed the returner programme. I have seen the success of the returner programme through the company Release Potential, which is based in my Hexham constituency and which I have seen help many people back into work.

[Maria Caulfield]

If WASPI women were successful in appealing last week’s Court ruling, would the Government abide by that judgment and compensate women accordingly?

[Guy Opperman]

I spent 20 years as a lawyer, and my last client was a Mr Ed Balls, when he was Secretary of State for Education. I can assure my hon. Friend that this Government will abide by court decisions and follow the law. If there are any changes—two independent High Court judges heard the case and made the decision— clearly the Government will obey that decision.