Rishi Sunak has told MPs during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday that the UK Government will “respond appropriately to any recommendations that come our way” when the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) completes its investigation into the State Pension age rise which affected millions of women born in the 1950s.
More than 3.6 million women across Great Britain are estimated to have missed out on State Pension payments due to a change in retirement age. Between April 2010 and November 2018, it rose from 60 to 65 for women, and in October 2020 it increased to 66 for both men and women.
In July 2021, the PHSO ruled that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) failed to communicate the age changes to those women with enough urgency, finding it guilty of maladministration, and is currently investigating the harm caused.
Mr Sunak’s response came after Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey told the Commons: “Over 3.6 million women born in the 1950s had their pension age increased without their knowledge.
“Many, like my constituent, unknowingly gave up work at 60, only to realise they had no income, they could not pay their bills and some have even lost their homes.”
Ms Long Bailey then asked the PM on behalf of one of her constituent’s: “Will he commit to the fair and fast payment of any compensation that is recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to 1950s women for the injustice they have suffered due to maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions?”
Mr Sunak responded: “This issue has been long discussed in this place. Obviously, the hon. Lady knows that there is an ongoing process, which I cannot comment on, but rest assured that of course we will respond appropriately to any recommendations that come our way.”
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