Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to compensate women wrongly underpaid their state pension.

The Department is addressing two areas which have resulted in the underpayment of State Pension. We expect the majority of customers affected to be women.

On the State Pension Underpayment Legal Entitlements and Administrative Practices (LEAP) exercise and the Home Responsibilities Protection LEAP exercise we are identifying and correcting any errors, making arrears payments and amending ongoing State Pension awards.

The Department understands the importance of putting right any errors we find and adjusting State Pension payments without delay. Everyone should receive the State Pension payments to which they are entitled. Giving pensioners the security and dignity they deserve in retirement is a priority for this Government.