More than 45,000 WASPI women in Birmingham owe DWP compensation that could reach £10,000

Thousands of women in Birmingham are among those receiving compensation for delays in their state pension. The government first moved the retirement age for women from 60 to 65, in line with that of men, then pushed it up to 66 for both sexes.

BirminghamLive’s analysis shows the top areas of our city where women have been affected and are hoping for a payout to address their financial losses. Birmingham’s top 10 hot spots for WASPI women total over 45,000 people, with Sutton Coldfield topping the list.

A report by the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman (PHSO) suggested that compensation at level four on its scale, between £1,000 and £2,950, could be appropriate for those affected. But campaigners say that’s too low and want much more.

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WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) president Angela Madden told the Work and Pensions Committee: “We are pleased with the report, it identifies that there has been mismanagement: big tick for us. It is identified that there should be compensation: big tick for us It has also tabled the report before Parliament, which we are very happy with because we believe that Parliament is the right place to make this decision.

Alan Brown, Scottish National MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, introduced a new State Pension Age (Compensation) Bill to Parliament and said: “Fair and fast compensation is the simple scheme that WASPI women are looking for, using as a minimum . , level 5 of the ombudsman’s scale – realistically, however, level 6 of the PHSO scales is most appropriate – and this Bill could provide a simple framework.”

Level 5 compensation would be £3,000-£9,950 and the PHSO says this is usually paid “where the affected person has experienced a marked and detrimental effect on their ability to live a relatively normal life”. Level 6 is £10,000 or more and involves “profound, devastating or irreversible impacts on the person affected. These include circumstances where the individual may be permanently affected or where recovery is likely to take several years and cases involving avoidable death. it also covers circumstances where a reduced quality of life has been endured for a considerable period.”

Mr Brown added: “We are talking about a practical resolution, one that does not result in astronomical sums per person. There is no calling for a reversal of the retirement age to 60, and no full rollback of pensions for those affected by mismanagement – no matter how nice an outcome.

“WASPI women understand that there is no such thing as a blank check from the Treasury; they are practical and want to move on. Having said that, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the UK government saved £200 billion from the decision to equalize the state. retirement age at 66.”

Birmingham’s top 10 WASPI hotspots

The areas are listed by constituency and the number of women affected by the state pension changes. The list is headed by Sutton Coldfield, where the compensation recommended by the ombudsman would take the total payout from £5.76m to £16.9m for this constituency alone.

• Sutton Coldfield: 5,760
• Northfield: 5,300
• Hall Green: 4,760
• Yardley: 4,550
• Selly oak: 4,540
• Perry Barr: 4,530
• Erdington: 4,500
• Edgbaston: 4,270
• Hodge Hill: 4,120
• Ladywood: 3,530

Chris Law, Scottish National Party MP for Dundee West, asked for an update at First Minister’s Questions on 8 May. Mr Law said: “It is more than a month since the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s long-awaited report into pension injustices, but women born in the 1950s in my constituency, and indeed in every constituency on these islands, he is still waiting to hear whether the UK government will listen to his recommendations and offer compensation.

“I was proud to see the Scottish Parliament support a motion last week calling for compensation to be delivered without delay, but I was totally dismayed to see members of the Conservative and Labor parties abstain. Can the Prime Minister finally tell us when the women of the Campaign Against State Pension Inequality – the WASPI women – will get the compensation they rightfully deserve?”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded: “Following the ombudsman’s five-year investigation, it is imperative that we take the time to conduct a thorough review of the comprehensive findings that have been published. An update will be given to the Chamber once these findings have been published. In full consideration, we are committed to ensuring that retirees have the dignity and security they deserve.

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