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.”