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Government Reaffirms No Compensation for 1950s-Born Women Over State Pension Age Changes

Ministers say most women already knew of the rise, making case-by-case checks impractical and a flat-rate payout too costly at about £10.3bn.

Overview

  • Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told MPs the post-review decision stands, repeating an apology for delayed notification letters.
  • The government accepts the Ombudsman's finding of maladministration yet maintains there was no direct financial loss warranting payments.
  • Officials argue a targeted scheme cannot reliably verify millions of individual cases, while a blanket approach would cost up to £10.3bn.
  • A rediscovered 2007 DWP evaluation on pension letters prompted the review, and campaigners say further legal and parliamentary action is under consideration.
  • Opposition and backbench critics called the move wrong and a betrayal, as campaigners say around 3.6 million women remain without redress.