Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: November 20, 2024

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED: 1.      That this Council notes that: a)            In the 1995 Pensions Act, the Government increased State Pension age for women from 60 to 65, with a further increase to 66 in the 2011 Pensions Act.  b)            The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has found the change was not properly communicated to 3.8m women born in the 1950s until 2012, giving some only one year’s notice of a six-year increase in their anticipated retirement age. 4,510 of the affected women are in our own authority area. c)             The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has found the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to have committed maladministration through its failure to adequately communicate State Pension age increases to women born in the 1950s.  d)            The PHSO has concluded the DWP should apologise to women affected and pay compensation as a result. e)            The DWP has yet to respond to the findings, with the Minister for Pensions indicating in a response to written questions in October 2024 that the new government is aiming to do so in early 2025. f)              While the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality for Women has concluded that “the impact of DWP maladministration on 1950s-born women has been as devastating as it is widespread.  The APPG believes that the case for category 6 injustice (£10,000) is overwhelming and clear. Women have had their emotional, physical, and mental circumstances totally obliterated by a lack of reasonable notice”, the PHSO recommendation in their report is that compensation be made in bands up to £2950. g)            As of April 2024, more than 275,000 women have died waiting for justice since the campaign began in 2015.  2.      That this Council believes that this injustice has not only had a profound effect on the individuals involved but on the wider community in Milton Keynes and on local government, not least because: a)      Many women who would have looked after older relatives or partners may not be able to afford to do so, with a knock-on impact on local social care. b)      Many women who would have retired and engaged in caring responsibilities for grandchildren may have to continue working, potentially increasing the childcare burden on the state locally. c)      Many women affected could struggle to meet their housing costs, with a knock-on impact on local housing stock. d)      There could be a broader impact on voluntary services of all kinds locally, which could miss out on able, active volunteers who would otherwise have been able to retire from full-time work as planned. e)      Our local economy may be negatively affected by the reduced spending power and disposable income the uncommunicated State Pension Age changes has brought about among women born in the 1950s. 3.      That this Council supports: a)      A swift resolution to this ongoing injustice before more and more women die waiting for compensation. b)      The conclusion of the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality that women born in the 1950s have suffered a gross injustice, affecting their emotional, physical and mental circumstances in addition to causing financial hardship. c)      The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s formal recommendation that the government consider compensation of up to £2950, and for a government response to the matter as quickly as possible. d)      The PHSO’s recommendation for the DWP to issue a formal apology to those affected and provide an opportunity for MPs to urgently debate the APPG’s recommendations, and any others, Parliament. 4.      That this Council resolves to: a)      Ask the Chief Executive of the Council to write to the local Members of Parliament; the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; and the Leader of the House of Commons; to outline the effects of the injustice to the 1950s women in the community in Milton Keynes and to seek: i)       An update on proposals from the DWP as soon as possible, outlining if and when they will deliver compensation for affected women, and stressing the urgency for those worst affected. ii)      For all MPs to be given an opportunity to debate and vote on these proposals.”