News
DWP failed to adequately communicate changes to Women’s State Pension age
A COMPREHENSIVE investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has found that thousands of women may have been affected by DWP’s failure to adequately inform them that the State Pension age had changed.
The 1995 Pensions Act and subsequent legislation raised the State Pension age for women born on or after 6 April 1950. We investigated complaints that, since 1995, DWP has failed to provide accurate, adequate and timely information about areas of State Pension reform.
The final report combines stages two and three of our investigation. It both considers the injustice resulting from the maladministration we identified during stage one and also sets out our thinking about remedy.
To date, DWP has not acknowledged its failings nor put things right for those women affected. DWP has also failed to offer any apology or explanation for its failings and has indicated it will not compensate women affected by its failure.
DWP’s handling of the changes meant some women lost opportunities to make informed decisions about their finances. It diminished their sense of personal autonomy and financial control.
However the 1950s women have said today they were floored by the insult of a compensation package proposed for women born in the 1950s, who were not told about a change to their state pension age.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman urged government to ‘do the right thing’ today by establishing a scheme suggesting compensation ranging from £1000 to £2950.
1950s women’s groups have long argued that their retirements were ruined by government changes to the state pension age, with the majority not receiving any notice or letter about the changes, which has cost many 50s women between £45,000 to £55,000. For Pembrokeshire campaigners they’ve spent more than the proposed offer on train tickets to rallies at the Senedd, Westminster and Political Party conferences over the last 8 years!!
However, today the government has said it will look in detail at the report from the PHSO, where the watchdog urged it to ‘act swiftly’.
The PHSO investigation has been flawed and full of irregularities and mistakes since its inception as it failed to take into consideration proven discrimination and only investigated partial maladministration. Even after stage 2 the Ombudsman had to be challenged as it was deemed legally flawed. The announcement today was as expected and the report is virtually the same as the draft report published in November.
As Hon Dr Jocelynne Scutt stated “50s women are faced with a Government that ignores its legal responsibilities & lacks compassion. Many have died, many living in poverty, & all have suffered & continue to suffer the wrong of injustice. Action is needed to right this grievous wrong”
We know the Judge’s Report addresses both direct and indirect discrimination on the grounds of age and sex, finding both proven in relation to 1950s-born women. It also addresses maladministration, finding it also proven in relation to the conduct or failure of the Department of Works and Pensions.
PHSO Chief Executive Rebecca Hilsenrath, said: “The UK’s national Ombudsman has made a finding of failings by DWP in this case and has ruled that the women affected are owed compensation. DWP has clearly indicated that it will refuse to comply. This is unacceptable. The Department must do the right thing and it must be held to account for failure to do so.
“Complainants should not have to wait and see whether DWP will take action to rectify its failings. Given the significant concerns we have that it will fail to act on our findings and given the need to make things right for the affected women as soon as possible, we have proactively asked Parliament to intervene and hold the Department to account.
“Parliament now needs to act swiftly, and make sure a compensation scheme is established. We think this will provide women with the quickest route to remedy.”
The investigation has been complex and involved analysing thousands of pages of evidence. On a number of occasions, parties were allowed additional time to consider and comment on our views. We also agreed last year to look again at part of our stage two findings following a legal challenge. All of this resulted to delays in the final report.
The report has been laid before Parliament, with a request that it looks at our findings and intervenes to agree a remedy for the women affected. While Parliament will make its own decisions about rectifying the injustice, we have shared what we consider to be an appropriate remedy. In addition to paying compensation, we have made it clear that DWP should acknowledge its failings and apologise for the impact it has had on complainants and others similarly affected.
The Ombudsman has received a series of complaints relating to how well DWP has communicated a variety of State Pension reforms. Concerns about communication of changes to the State Pension age constitute only one such area of complaint. The Department has also declined to act on other issues that have been consistently highlighted in complaints. A report from the Ombudsman later in the year will set these out.
THE FIRST MINISTER GIVES HER ST DAVIDS DAY MESSAGE
“Today people across Wales and across the world come together and celebrate all things Wales and Welshness – Cymru a Chymreictod.
On our national day we like to follow St David and what he did and do the little things – gwneud y pethau bychain.
Because lots of little things soon add up.
This sense of taking care of others is part of our national identity, as is our love of singing and sports.
We are right to be proud of our close-knit communities and strong sense of social justice and fairness.
Our tolerance and our progressive values are also key to us.
Wales is also home to innovators and creators, making it a place where brilliant ideas can thrive.
Our rich history, vibrant culture and language is as unique as our mountains, coastlines and thriving cities.
I promise that we will continue our work to create a stronger, fairer and a greener Wales.
A place where everyone is valued, and nobody is left behind.
And where our young people can achieve their dreams and their potential.
These are aims rooted in the lessons taught by Dewi Sant himself.
So, wherever you are celebrating St David’s Day this year, help us to turn the world a little more Welsh and do a little thing to brighten someone else’s day up.
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus to you all – mwynhewch!”
A MESSAGE FROM JO STEVENS
For the first time as Welsh Secretary, I’m delighted to be able to wish everyone across West Wales a happy St David’s Day.
Following the election last July, we promised to deliver change and that is what we have begun to do.
We pledged safer streets, green energy and, above all, new jobs and economic growth. Underpinning all of this was the promise of a transformed relationship between the UK and Welsh Governments – a partnership that delivers for the people of Wales.
Above all, our mission is to kickstart economic growth.
In West Wales we have already seen significant investment into the local economy. We’ve given the green light for the Celtic Freeport covering Milford Haven and Port Talbot, which will unlock millions in private investment and galvanise thousands of jobs in the area.
Supported by £26m in UK Government funding, the Freeport will encourage growth and investment by creating tax and customs incentives for business.
The Swansea Bay City Deal is delivering for the region. Just weeks after the General Election I joined First Minister Eluned Morgan and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to open the £60m Pembroke Dock Marine development which has transformed facilities at the port.
City Deal projects like the Pentre Awel health care and research development in Llanelli are hugely exciting while communities like Laugharne, Llangwm and Nantgaredig are being connected to ultra-fast broadband helping to boost productivity and breaking down barriers to opportunity in those areas.
This is what we mean by driving growth in all of our communities.
The UK Government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower also provides huge opportunities for West Wales.
The region is home to a world class clean energy sector with abundant natural resources and the potential to be the powerhouse for economic growth for Wales and the wider UK.
The golden opportunity of floating offshore wind will be a critical part of our clean energy mission and we are working with the Welsh Government and industry partners to develop floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea which could support up to 5,300 new jobs and generate up to £1.4bn for the UK economy. Local ports will be vital for supporting this growing industry.
And the UK Government has identified Pembrokeshire as a pilot area to develop a skilled clean energy workforce, which could see funding for targeted measures such as training centres and courses to upskill workers.
These are the jobs of the future and it was fantastic to meet apprentices at Dragon LNG and Ledwood Engineering when I was in Pembrokeshire recently. My hope is that more young people in West Wales will be able to stay in their home area and develop fantastic careers in the new industries the region is attracting and which the UK Government is supporting.
It is clear that in just a few short months, the new UK Government has made significant strides. Building on our strengths in green energy, industry and, most of all, our people I know West Wales will continue to be a brilliant place to do business.
I’d like to send my best wishes to everyone there celebrating our national day.
WALES AIR AMBULANCE says it is delighted to be celebrating its 24th anniversary of its lifesaving service.
Since its inception on St David’s Day in 2001, the Charity has attended over 52,000 missions across the whole country, and it has grown to be one of the largest and most medically advanced air ambulance operations in Europe.
Wales Air Ambulance has grown immensely over the past 24 years, the Charity proudly has four aircraft covering the whole of Wales, as well has having a fleet of rapid response vehicles.
In December 2020, the Wales Air Ambulance introduced a helicopter to start flying at night, which enabled the Charity to reach more people in their worst moments.
The Wales Air Ambulance operates 24/7, 365 days a year Wales-wide, thanks to the generosity of the people of Wales.
It is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
The service is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity’s vehicles.
Every year, the all-Wales Charity needs to raise £11.2 million to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road, relying solely on public donations.
Dr Sue Barnes, Wales Air Ambulance’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating our 24th anniversary of being there for the people of Wales when they need us most. We’re proud of how far we have come from having a single aircraft based at Swansea Airport to the four helicopters and rapid response vehicles we have across Wales.
“The Charity would like to say a huge “thank you” to all its loyal supporters, its staff, volunteers, trustees, medics, pilots and allocators – past and present. Your passion and determination are the strong foundation upon which Wales Air Ambulance has been built. It’s because of you that we’re able to serve Wales and save lives 24/7. We look forward to being there for the people of Wales for the next 24 years and longer. Happy 24th Birthday Wales Air Ambulance!”
The Charity is marking the occasion with the return of its flagship event, Coffee and Cake.
To mark the Wales Air Ambulance’s birthday we have launched Coffee and Cake for the second year running. The beauty of this event is that it is open to everyone, and you can host your party at a time or place that suits you.
Get together with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues and host your very own Coffee and Cake party during the month of March, whilst raising ‘dough’ for the Wales Air Ambulance.
For more information visit www.walesairambulance.com/coffee-and-cake
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