WOMEN born in the 1950s should be entitled to compensation for DWP’s failures to notify them of State Pension age changes, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has found.

The 3.6 million affected women received as little as twelve months’ notice of a six-year hike to their State Pension age, plunging their retirement plans and personal finances into disarray.

After an investigation lasting five years, the PHSO’s final report places responsibility on MPs to decide a final compensation package, and criticises DWP for failing to accept their clear findings of maladministration.

The PHSO chief executive says: “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.

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“DWP has clearly indicated that it will refuse to comply. This is unacceptable.

“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.”   

Campaigners have branded the DWP’s approach ‘unbelievable’ and now expect resolution to become a major election issue.

The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign is pressing all parties to include pledges for fair and fast compensation in their manifestos. 

Research among 8,000 WASPI women found that 60 per cent are undecided about who they will vote for at the general election.

This month, more than a dozen MPs from across the main parties, including the Isle of Wight's Bob Seely, used a House of Commons debate to urge ministers to provide fair and fast compensation to WASPI women. 

In January 2022, the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension age changes recommended that compensation of £10,000 or more should be paid to each WASPI woman. 

Over the last six years since the PHSO investigation began, MPs from all parties have voiced their support for justice for WASPI women but neither Labour nor the Conservative Party has made a firm commitment ahead of the general election.  

During the course of WASPI’s campaign – and the prolonged PHSO investigation – more than 270,000 WASPI women have died waiting for justice.

Solent and Isle of Wight WASPI Coordinator, Shelagh Simmons, said: "Isle of Wight WASPI women have already been badly let down by the DWP's failure to communicate life-impacting State Pension age changes. 

"To add insult to injury, they have now been let down again by its astonishing failure to accept the findings of its own watchdog and to take responsibility. 

"In the March 12 debate, DWP Minister Paul Maynard acknowledged how important this matter is and said the Government takes it very seriously. 

"He also said the DWP is committed to giving the best service it can. 

"Today, those words ring very hollow indeed. 

"We are now counting on our MPs to ensure that justice is finally done."