I have received several campaign emails recently from constituents regarding the issue of pension compensation for women due to changes to the State Pension age (SPa). If I may, I will do my best to respond to each of the points raised.
When the contributory State Pension was introduced in the 1940s, it had a differential SPa – 65 for men and 60 for women. In 1993, the then-Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ken Clarke, announced that the Government would equalise the SPa at 65. This change would be phased in over ten years, starting in 2010.
In 2011, to ensure the sustainability of the State Pension system, the Coalition Government accelerated the equalisation of the SPa and pledged to raise the SPa to 66. This meant that the SPa for women would reach 65 in November 2018, and the increase from 65 to 66 would happen by October 2020.
While I appreciate concerns about the equalisation of the SPa, had the Government not equalised the State Pension age, women who would be retiring today upon reaching the age of 60 would, on average, spend over 40 per cent of their adult lives in receipt of State Pension. These changes, made by Parliament after extensive debates, were about maintaining the right balance between sustainability of the State Pension, fairness between generations, and ensuring a dignified retirement in later life.
With regard to the communication of SPa changes, it is important to note that the High Court (2019) and the Court of Appeal (2020) found no fault with the actions of the Department for Work and Pensions. The courts made it clear that under successive Governments dating back to 1995, the action taken was entirely lawful and did not discriminate on any grounds.
During these proceedings, the Court of Appeal held that the High Court was entitled to conclude as a fact that there had been “adequate and reasonable notification given by the publicity campaigns implemented by the Department over a number of years.”
I am aware that the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman published its report in March on the SPa communications. I believe it is vital the Labour Government takes time to review and consider the Ombudsman's report along with the evidence provided during the investigation. The issues outlined in the report are significant and complex; as such they require serious deliberation.
I appreciate the length of time this has taken is of upmost concern to WASPI women and affected women and I have written previously to communicate how my constituents in East Grinstead and Uckfield are frustrated with the lack of a government response on this.
I remain committed to ensuring that older people can live with the dignity and respect they deserve. Since 2010, there are 200,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty and pensioners are now the group least likely to be living in poverty, something the current Government has jeopardised with their cruel Winter Fuel Payment cut for millions of pensioners.
Finally, I also welcomed that, on the 6 April, the basic State Pension, new State Pension and Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee were uprated by 8.5 per cent by the last Government.
