News

DWP failed to adequately communicate changes to Women’s State Pension age

Published

2 years ago

March 22, 2024

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.

News

Political leaders and unions react to Milford Haven school assault

Published

7 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

First Minister, MP, MS and teaching unions call for safety and support for staff

POLITICAL leaders and teaching unions across Wales have spoken out following Thursday’s assault on a teacher at Milford Haven School, which led to a lockdown, a major police response and the arrest of a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder.

The First Minister Eluned Morgan said she was “deeply concerned” by the incident and stressed that violence had no place in Welsh schools.

***Police at Milford Haven School on May 5 (Pic: Herald)***

Her comments come just days after she visited the Milford Haven campus following the school being placed into special measures by Estyn, where she met leaders to discuss improvement plans and support arrangements.

She said her thoughts were with the injured teacher, their family and the wider school community, and praised the swift response of staff and emergency services.

Local MP Henry Tufnell, who represents Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, described the incident as deeply upsetting for what he called a close-knit community.

He said he was thinking of the teacher and pupils affected and thanked Dyfed-Powys Police and ambulance crews for their professionalism.

Meanwhile Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz said: “Deeply concerning news across the water in Milford Haven.

“Sadly, violence in our schools is becoming all too common, and thanks must go to the emergency services for their timely response. Thoughts are with the injured teacher, their family and the wider school community.”

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said teachers must feel safe at work and called for continued support for school staff.

Teaching unions also responded.

NASUWT said teachers “deserve to feel safe in their workplace” and that any violence against staff must be taken seriously, while National Education Union said schools must remain safe spaces for both pupils and staff and urged continued focus on safeguarding and behaviour support.

All said support would be offered to the Milford Haven school community in the days ahead as police investigations continue.

Crime

Teacher discharged as police step back from Milford Haven school after assault

Published

9 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Teenager remains in custody as school closes and patrols increased to reassure community

POLICE have confirmed they are no longer stationed at Milford Haven School after a teacher was assaulted by a pupil on Thursday afternoon (Feb 5), as the injured member of staff has now been discharged from hospital.

In a joint statement issued by Dyfed-Powys Police, Pembrokeshire County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board, Superintendent Chris Neve said swift action had been taken to protect pupils and staff.

He said: “Police are no longer in attendance at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, following a report of the assault of a teacher at approx. 3.20pm this afternoon.

“I would like to reassure parents, and the wider community, that swift action was taken to both safeguard pupils and teachers, and to trace the suspect as soon as this report was received.

“The teacher has now been discharged from hospital and is being supported by specialist officers. All pupils at the location were safe, and all returned home unharmed. A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and remains in police custody as enquiries continue.

“You will see a higher than usual police presence in the area over the coming days – these will be dedicated patrols to provide further reassurance.”

The injured teacher was earlier taken to hospital by road ambulance.

An immediate lockdown was put in place at the school while emergency services responded. Most pupils had already left for the day, but those still on site were secured inside classrooms and offices as a precaution.

School closed on Friday

Council leader Cllr Jon Harvey said the school would be closed to pupils on Friday to allow support and safety measures to continue.

He said: “We would like to thank staff and pupils at Milford Haven School for implementing a swift and effective lockdown in response to this incident.

“While the school will be closed to pupils tomorrow, if there are any learners who require additional support they are welcome to attend and there will also be support for staff on site.

“We’d like to reassure learners and parents, along with the wider community, that all measures to ensure safety are being taken.”

The health board added that anyone needing urgent mental health support can call NHS 111 and press option 2 for 24-hour assistance.

National spotlight

The incident has drawn national media attention.

BBC News broadcast live from the school gates during its Ten O’Clock News bulletin, while ITV News and several national titles also covered developments.

Journalists from a number of UK outlets, including The Sun, contacted The Herald as events unfolded, with several Welsh and national publishers using photographs first taken by Herald reporters.

Residents said the scale of coverage was unprecedented for the normally quiet port town.

Police enquiries are continuing.

Photo caption:

Police outside Milford Haven School following Thursday’s incident (Pics: Herald).

Health

Health board targets rise in steroid and gym drug use across west Wales

Published

13 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE LOCAL health board has launched new targeted measures after recording a sharp rise in the use of steroids and other image-enhancing drugs across the region.

Hywel Dda University Health Board says needle exchange figures show significant growth over the past two years in people seeking support related to Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs), including anabolic steroids and so-called Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs).

SARMs, while marketed online as safer alternatives to steroids, are illegal to sell in the UK and health professionals warn they carry serious and largely unknown risks.

The health board has now teamed up with Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) and Choices, a young people’s substance use service, to tackle what officials describe as an “emerging public health challenge”.

Workshops and outreach

Two key initiatives have been introduced.

Educational workshops are being delivered to young people, focusing on the risks of using performance-enhancing substances during physical development and the potential long-term effects on hormones, mental health and fertility.

At the same time, enhanced support is being offered to people already involved in gym and fitness culture, with harm-reduction advice, health monitoring and confidential drop-in services.

Support includes testosterone testing, blood checks, cycle provision kits and discreet one-to-one consultations.

One service user described the programme as “quick, professional and non-judgemental”.

They said: “The drop-in clinic for my blood test was really convenient. I was seen quickly and given a full run-down of the services available. The staff made me feel comfortable the whole time and I got my results back faster than expected.”

Taking support into the community

The team has also worked directly with local gyms, leisure centres and sports venues, speaking to more than 100 people during five outreach sessions.

Twelve DDAS staff members have completed specialist IPED training delivered by Public Health Wales to strengthen expertise within the service.

Rachel Wilson, Resilient Families Manager at Choices, said the aim is to reduce stigma.

She said: “We’re proud to work alongside Hywel Dda to ensure people who use IPEDs are met with understanding, not judgement. These initiatives are helping us reach individuals who may not have previously considered accessing support.”

Craig Jones, Prevention and Population Health Improvement Manager, added: “This work is about meeting people where they are. By listening and responding with compassion and evidence-based care, we’re making a real difference.”

Dr Ardiana Gjini, Executive Director of Public Health, said the approach showed the board’s commitment to early intervention.

She said: “These initiatives reflect a proactive, collaborative response to emerging health challenges and demonstrate our dedication to protecting the health of our communities.”

Anyone seeking confidential advice or support can contact DDAS on 03303 639997 to book an appointment.