WASPI update as DWP's State Pension age change findings will apply to all

Millions of women could soon receive compensation as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is set to conclude its results. The PHSP lanched an independent investigation into changes made to the State Pension age early this year.

The Ombudsman confirmed that any recommendations it makes to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will apply to "everyone who has been similarly affected" by the issues it identifies, not just the women who lodged a complaint. This could result in around 3.6 million women born in the 1950s receiving compensation, the Daily Record reports

Campaigners from WASPI women (Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign) have been waiting for this moment for over half a decade. The PHSO recently shared an update on its website explaining the reasons for the delays.

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The PHSO said: "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."

"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 Chief Executive Officer at the PHSO, told the PACAC in November 2023 that they've sent the provisional findings for stages two and three to the UK Government and about 500 women who complained. The final report will be made public once the feedback has been received and the PHSO has made any necessary changes. Ms Hilsenrath indicated the deadline for responses was around Christmas and the final report should be published in the new year - assuming there are no more amendments to be made.

The statement on the PHSO website continues: “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.

“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.”

It added: “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.

“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.”

What stage one of the PHSO investigation ruled

Between 1995 and 2004, DWP’s communication of changes to State Pension age reflected the standards it would expect it to meet. But in 2005, DWP failed to make a reasonable decision about targeting information to the women affected by these changes - that was maladministration.

In 2006, DWP proposed writing to women individually to tell them about changes to State Pension age but it failed to act promptly - that was also maladministration.

You can read the stage one report on the PHSO website here. You can read all the questions and background information here.