Statement on the WASPI Campaign Ombudsman Report.
Yesterday the long-awaited report on whether the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) adequately communicated changes to the pension age for women born on or after April 6, 1950, finally reached its conclusion. For the women affected, there will be a big sigh of relief after a long fight to be heard.
The Ombudsman’s Report has found that maladministration, under the last Labour Government between 2005 and 2007, led to a delay in the DWP writing to women about their State Pension age changing. The report finds that only 43% of all women affected by the 1995 Pensions Act knew their State Pension age was 65 in 2004.
Throughout this investigation, I have spoken to many women in my constituency about the impact these changes have had on them. I have consistently been supportive of their campaign and lent my support when I could. While I am still reading in detail the full 100 page report, I wanted to set out my initial views, as this is a matter that means a great deal to the many impacted women across North Norfolk.
I’ve always been vocal in my support for pensioners. As the MP representing the oldest demographic in the country, with just over 33% of the constituency being of pensionable age, it is something that is of the utmost importance to me. I was one of the loudest voices in Parliament when it came to securing the maximum triple lock uplift after the pandemic. I think it is absolutely vital that after a life of hard work, people are properly rewarded and receive the pension they have rightly earned.
I am pleased to see that the Ombudsman has called for compensation for the women affected by the state pension age changes. I cannot imagine the hardships some women have suffered and as the report makes clear, they were not at fault. Injustice has such an impact on people’s livelihoods, mental wellbeing and financial standings. We saw this with the Post Office scandal. As the only former sub-postmaster to be sitting in the House of Commons, I have been incredibly vocal in my support of those affected by this scandal. I want to try and reflect that same support for WASPI women.
Of course, I have always recognised the need for sensible and pragmatic solutions to resolve matters such as this. I do understand that the Government have not yet responded in full to the findings of this report, but I want to assure my constituents who are affected that I will take your views with me to Parliament and continue to support both you, and this campaign wherever possible. My recommendation is the Government works to help as many of the impacted women as we possibly can.
I am aware that this is not a matter that can be resolved quickly due to its scale and cost, but similarly to my stance on other injustices, I will continue to follow this closely as it develops and do my utmost to ensure that your voices are heard.
Yours sincerely,
Duncan
Duncan Baker MP
