WASPI: State Pension age change findings will apply to all women

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is wrapping up an independent investigation into changes to the State Pension age. The PHSO has confirmed that any recommendations it makes will apply to everyone affected by the issues it identifies, not just the women who lodged a complaint.

This could mean around 3.6 million women born in the 1950s might get compensation after waiting five years for the outcome. The investigation started in 2018 but was delayed due to the complexity of the case and a legal challenge funded by thousands of WASPI women (Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign), the Daily Record reports.

The PHSO recently shared an update on its website explaining the reasons for the delays. "We had intended to publish our final investigation report by the end of March 2023. Following a legal challenge, we agreed to look again at part of our stage two findings. This has delayed the publication of our final report." the PHSO said.

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"We have now looked at our findings and have shared our provisional views about injustice resulting from the maladministration we identified during stage one, and our thinking about remedy, with complainants, their referring MPs and the DWP. They all have an opportunity to comment on our provisional views before we make any final decisions about these issues."

Rebecca Hilsenrath, the head of PHSO, informed the PACAC in November 2023 that they've dispatched provisional findings for stages two and three to the UK Government as well as about 500 women who lodged complaints, according to the Daily Record.

A final report will be shared after feedback has been received and any necessary alterations are made. Ms Hilsenrath said they're hoping for responses by Christmas, aiming to unleash the report in the New Year if no further changes need to be made.

An additional statement from PHSO stated: "Our investigation has been complex, and it has taken a considerable amount of time. We appreciate the impact this will have had on the women affected."

The Ombudsman's office elaborated: "There have been many delays outside of our control. We have granted five extensions to allow involved parties additional time to consider our views and provide comments, and following the legal challenge, it was only right that we looked again at part of our stage two report."

"We have carefully analysed over 650 pieces of evidence over the course of our investigation to make sure any findings are robust and evidence based."

"As an independent Ombudsman, our duty is to provide the right outcome for all involved and make sure justice is achieved. The cooperative approach we have taken to looking again at injustice will provide the quickest route to remedy for those affected."

Angela Madden, Chair of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, said: "We are sad to say that snails could have conducted this investigation more quickly and efficiently than the watchdog has. The whole process has added insult to injury."

"Nonetheless we cautiously welcome the announcement from the Ombudsman that he will report on his final conclusions, albeit in confidence to complainants. We also welcome the CEO's clear acknowledgement of the impact DWP's mistakes had on WASPI women."

She added: "We urge the PHSO to carefully consider feedback from those affected and to maintain their commitment of presenting final conclusions to Parliament as soon as possible in the new year."

The first part of the PHSO investigation found that from 1995 to 2004, the DWP's communication about changes to the State Pension age met expected standards. However, in 2005, the DWP failed to properly target information to women affected by these changes - this was a failure in administration.

In 2006, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) intended to inform women individually about changes to the State Pension age but didn't act swiftly enough, marking a failure in administration.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has provided more details about the investigation and common queries regarding the State Pension age changes on its website. One question asked was: "Does this mean that if somebody hasn't had a complaint accepted by you already, they won't benefit from any recommendations you might make?" To which the PHSO replied: "No. If we make recommendations to the DWP, we will ask it to apply those recommendations to everyone who has been affected by any failings we identify."