Patricia Barrett, a 65-year-old Waspi woman, faces the humiliation of claiming universal credit after working since she was 16. A heart attack at 60 forced her to retire, leaving her with diminished confidence and struggling financially. Despite the PHSO ruling that Waspi women are owed compensation for the government's inadequate notification about the state pension age changes, the government has yet to commit to any form of compensation.
Patricia Barrett, a 65-year-old woman from East Lothian, Scotland, is one of an estimated 3.8 million women affected by major changes to the state pension age . Ms. Barrett has been working since the age of 16, holding various jobs including a paper round, retail work, roles in the civilian and Army police forces, and running her own successful motorcycle school. However, a heart attack at 60 significantly impacted her ability to work, leaving her with diminished confidence.
Despite working diligently throughout her life, she now finds herself relying on universal credit, a situation she finds deeply humiliating. She expresses frustration at the system's restrictions and the constant reminders that she is not currently working. Ms. Barrett acknowledges the hard work of the benefits office staff but feels the process is overly burdensome. She is set to receive her state pension at 66, but the delay has had a substantial impact on her life and finances.Ms. Barrett's story highlights the plight of Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women who were not adequately informed about the raising of the state pension age from 60 to 66. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) ruled in March 2024 that the government owes compensation to these women due to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)'s failure to provide sufficient notice about the changes. Despite this finding, the government has not yet committed to any form of compensation. Angela Madden, chair of Waspi, emphasizes the significant financial and emotional hardship faced by these women. She argues that the PHSO's conclusion that all 50s-born women should be compensated is a clear mandate that the government cannot ignore. Ms. Madden vows that the Waspi campaign will continue until their demands for compensation are met. A government spokesperson acknowledges the PHSO's finding of maladministration and expresses regret for the delay in notifying 50s-born women about the changes. However, they maintain that earlier notifications would not have significantly changed the situation, citing evidence suggesting that most women were already aware of the state pension age changes by 2006. The government ultimately argues against providing compensation due to the cost implications
Waspi Women State Pension Age Universal Credit Heart Attack Government Compensation
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WASPI Women Face 'Disturbing' Update on Potential PayoutsThousands of WASPI women campaigning for compensation worth £2,950 from the Department for Work and Pensions are facing a 'disturbing' update about potential payouts. Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling shared his insights, stating that there was usually a conversation between the Ombudsman and the Government regarding an acceptable compensation approach, which did not happen in the case of the WASPI women. Darling expressed his concern over the breakdown in communication and frustration with the government's lack of action despite acknowledging the injustices faced by the WASPI women. Darling is backing and sponsoring a 'Ten Minute Bill' advocating for redress for the WASPI women.
Read more »
Woman jailed for 14 months for falsely claiming gun threatAllicja Smith, 20, fabricated a story about being threatened with a gun by a former partner, leading to police investigations and distress for the man.
Read more »
Migrant who raped sleeping woman avoids deportation after claiming he is 'bisexual' and HIS life...A migrant who raped a sleeping woman won't be deported because his life would be in danger if he was sent back to Jamaica because he is 'bisexual', a specialist tribunal heard.
Read more »
Migrant who raped sleeping woman avoids deportation after claiming he is 'bisexual' and HIS life...A migrant who raped a sleeping woman won't be deported because his life would be in danger if he was sent back to Jamaica because he is 'bisexual', a specialist tribunal heard.
Read more »
New DWP update on State Pension age compensation for WASPI womenMillions of women affected by changes to their State Pension age were told in December there will be no compensation scheme.
Read more »
Scottish Labour MP will vote against UK Government on Waspi compensationEXCLUSIVE: Brian Leishman said he will back an opposition party's motion to pay women impacted by changes to the state pension age if it comes to a vote.
Read more »