MP Ben Lake has backed a motion raising the plight of 'pension scandal' affected women and is calling on the Government to abide by ombudsman findings.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is due to report soon on compensation for the 1950s-born women affected by the lack of notice given to them regarding the changes to their state pension age.

The Ombudsman has already ruled that this was maladministration.

The 1995 Pensions Act and subsequent legislation raised State Pension age for women born on or after 6 April 1950.

The Women Against State Pension Injustice (WASPI) campaign group argued that those changes were not adequately communicated.

Many women affected by this say that they have experienced financial loss and a negative impact on their health, emotional well-being and home life as a result.  

The PHSO received a significant number of complaints by 1950s-born women regarding the DWP’s lack of communication of changes to State Pension age, and the Ombudsman has confirmed that the aim is to publish the full report of the investigation by the end of March 2023.

Ben Lake, Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion, said: “WASPI women have been waiting for years for justice and compensation from the UK Government and I applaud the work carried out by all the 1950s women campaign groups that have ensured that leaders, politicians and Ministers do not forget about them.

“The UK Government must learn lessons from what has happened to the WASPI women and I urge the Government to commit to meeting the compensation recommendations of the Ombudsman upon publication.”

Pamela Judge, WASPI Ceredigion Co-ordinator said: “We are very grateful for Ben’s loyal support. 1950s women throughout the UK have been treated very badly.

"For many women the lack of notice that our State Pension Age had changed was catastrophic. We had no chance to change our plans for retirement.

“If the Ombudsman rules that compensation should be paid, we need MPs like Ben to put pressure on the Government to pay up promptly. Many 1950s women are dying. We really can’t wait any longer.”