WASPI generation (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women will soon hear if they will get compensation with some 3.6 million women potentially getting a payout.
An investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) looking at the effect of the state pension age being increased for women, from 60 to 65, will soon conclude.
The group has already found there was “injustice caused by the maladministration” in the way the change was communicated to those affected. It has also said any recommendations in its final report will apply to “everyone who has been similarly affected”.
This will include any recommended financial remedy and could see around 3.6 million women born in the 1950s receive compensation after waiting five years for the outcome.
The PHSO investigation began in 2018, but due to the complexity of the case, some 650 pieces of evidence had to be reviewed.
There was also a legal challenge funded by thousands of WASPI women into stage two (injustice) findings, with the Ombudsman agreeing to look again at its decision, causing further delays.
It recently shared an update on progress of the investigation on its website and explained the reasons for the delays to the publication of stage two and stage three (remedy).
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, chief executive officer at the PHSO, told the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) in November 2023 that the provisional findings for stage two and stage three had been sent in confidence.
These were sent mostly by post to the parties involved, namely the UK Government and around 500 women who made a complaint.
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.”
Angela Madden, chair of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, said recently: “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.”
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