Asked by: Stephen Farry (Alliance - North Down)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to meet with representatives of the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign following the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's report into the communication of state pension age increases, published on 21 March 2024.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
In laying the report before Parliament at the end of March, the Ombudsman has brought matters to the attention of this House, and a further update to the House will be provided once the report's findings have been fully considered.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to meet with representatives from the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign.
Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
There are currently no plans to meet with WASPI representatives. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s investigation on State Pension age communications is ongoing. Section 7(2) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 states that Ombudsman investigations “shall be conducted in private”.
The Department is cooperating fully with the Ombudsman in their investigation.
Asked by: Steve McCabe (Labour - Birmingham, Selly Oak)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he or a Minister in his Department next plans to meet with a representative from the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign.
Answered by Laura Trott - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
We have no current plans to meet with WASPI representatives whilst the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s investigation is ongoing. Section 7(2) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 states that Ombudsman investigations “shall be conducted in private”.
The Department is cooperating with the Ombudsman in their investigation.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to provide increased financial support to people living in Northern Ireland represented by the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign in the context of the rising cost of living.
Answered by Steve Baker - Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
Social security, state pensions and child maintenance are transferred matters in Northern Ireland.
However, the UK Government has taken decisive action to support the people of Northern Ireland with the cost of living. The one-off Cost of Living Payments announced in May will also be delivered UK-wide, and includes up to £650 for those on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioners, and £150 for those in receipt of eligible disability benefits.
Asked by: Amy Callaghan (Scottish National Party - East Dunbartonshire)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s reports on the Women's State Pension age, if he will hold discussions with representatives of Women Against State Pension Inequality on the Ombudsman's fundings.
Answered by Laura Trott - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has not completed his investigation into communication of changes to women’s state pension. It would be inappropriate to discuss the investigation whilst it is ongoing. Section 7(2) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 states that Ombudsman investigations “shall be conducted in private”.
The Department is cooperating fully with the PHSO in their investigation.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2022 to Question 14559 on Women Against State Pension Inequality, for what reason a Minister has not met with representatives of Women Against State Pension Inequality since 29 June 2016; and if he will meet with that group.
Answered by Laura Trott - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given by Hon Guy Opperman MP on 19 July 2022 to question number 36754.
Asked by: Thangam Debbonaire (Labour - Bristol West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will meet with representatives of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign to discuss the findings of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on Women's State Pension Age.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s investigation into communication of changes to women’s state pension is ongoing. Section 7(2) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 states that Ombudsman investigations “shall be conducted in private”. It would be inappropriate to comment on these issues whilst the investigation is ongoing.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on support for people represented by the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign.
Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General
State Pensions age issues have been debated extensively in the House over many years. There have been no recent Cabinet conversations relating to support for people represented by the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2022 to Question 14559 on Women Against State Pension Inequality, for what reason a departmental Minister has not met with representatives of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) since 29 June 2016; and why her Department has no plans to accept outstanding requests for meetings from WASPI representatives.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
State Pension age issues have been debated extensively in the House over many years, and subsequently litigated in the highest courts in the land.
The PHSO Ombudsman’s investigation into communication of changes to women’s state pension is ongoing; section 7(2) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 states that Ombudsman investigations “shall be conducted in private”.
It would be inappropriate to discuss these issues whilst the PHSO Ombudsman’s investigation is ongoing. This is the approach of successive governments to such matters.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when any Minister in her Department last held a meeting with representatives of the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign; and when they next intend to do so.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
A Departmental Minister met with representatives of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) on 29 June 2016. There are currently no plans to the meet with representatives of the group.