tv BBC News BBCNEWS March 21, 2024 10:30am-11:01am GMT
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paying compensation, we have made it clear that dwp should acknowledge its failings and apologise for the impact it has had on complainants and others similarly affected. if you have been similarly affected, do get in touch. no level of compensation suggested that it is knocking the ball back into the court of dwp while underlining and emphasising their failings. court of dwp while underlining and emphasising theirfailings. we have got angela madden. chair of the women against a state pension inequality campaign. you had the report a few moments ago, what is your response? i report a few moments ago, what is your response?_ report a few moments ago, what is your resume?— your response? i am pleased the re ort is your response? i am pleased the report is finally _ your response? i am pleased the report is finally out. _ your response? i am pleased the report is finally out. this - report is finally out. this investigation has gone on for five long years. three years ago, the ombudsman found there had been maladministration. he has been considering the evidence on injustice for a long time. i am pleased he has recognised there has
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been injustice. we certainly gave him evidence of the injustices we had suffered. even women who were divorced and had their divorce settlements round about 2010, 2012, their divorce settlements were based on a state pension age of 60. so had thejudiciary at the on a state pension age of 60. so had the judiciary at the time known about state pension age changes, their divorce settlements would have been based on the actual state pension age, not what it had been historically? plenty of evidence there was significant injustice and it is good that the ombudsman has recognised that. i am really pleased that parliament has a chance to put it right. they are the people who represent us. the all—party parliamentary group provided evidence to the ombudsman�*s inquiry
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and they have suggested that compensation should be at level six of the severity of injustice scale. that would mean each woman affected would have a minimum of £10,000. if that was 3.6 million, it would be a huge amount of money, £36 billion. that is eye watering huge. the government saved £181 billion by sneaking this in through the back door, by trying to get away without actually telling us. i am sure that was a political choice. we cannot imagine the government and the department for work and pensions would be that incompetent. great you are on this morning _ would be that incompetent. great you are on this morning and _ would be that incompetent. great you are on this morning and it _ would be that incompetent. great you are on this morning and it will - would be that incompetent. great you are on this morning and it will be - are on this morning and it will be great as well to hear from voices all over the country, responses this really well laid out for us angela. let's go and meet your voices, our
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listeners, our viewers. let's go and meet your voices, our listeners, ourviewers. carol in manchester, first. as many reactions as we can get. good morning and thank you very much. what do think? reallyjust to keep it simple, i have _ reallyjust to keep it simple, i have heard everything about what has been said _ have heard everything about what has been said and i have not got many words _ been said and i have not got many words to— been said and i have not got many words to say. if they have found to not act _ words to say. if they have found to not act appropriately, do the right thing _ not act appropriately, do the right thing by— not act appropriately, do the right thing by us. not act appropriately, do the right thing by us-_ thing by us. how has it affected ou? i thing by us. how has it affected you? i was _ thing by us. how has it affected you? i was born _ thing by us. how has it affected you? i was born in _ thing by us. how has it affected you? i was born in 1955. - thing by us. how has it affected you? i was born in 1955. my - thing by us. how has it affected| you? i was born in 1955. my plan thing by us. how has it affected - you? i was born in 1955. my plan was ho efull you? i was born in 1955. my plan was hopefully to — you? i was born in 1955. my plan was hopefully to retire _ you? i was born in 1955. my plan was hopefully to retire in, _ you? i was born in 1955. my plan was hopefully to retire in, gosh... - you? i was born in 1955. my plan was hopefully to retire in, gosh... i - you? i was born in 1955. my plan was hopefully to retire in, gosh... i am . hopefully to retire in, gosh... i am fiummoxed — hopefully to retire in, gosh... i am flummoxed because i am on here now. you are _ flummoxed because i am on here now. you are doing — flummoxed because i am on here now. you are doing great. sounding absolutely clear on what you are
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saying. i get muddled with dates you had planned to retire. then what? planned to retire on doing their normal— planned to retire on doing their normal simple things in life to enjoy— normal simple things in life to enjoy at— normal simple things in life to enjoy at this later time of my life. help _ enjoy at this later time of my life. help nry— enjoy at this later time of my life. help my husband can help my grandchildren in their lives. especially, i had an illness in 2002 which _ especially, i had an illness in 2002 which is _ especially, i had an illness in 2002 which is something that put life into perspective as well. the plan was always looking for it. i had a lovely— was always looking for it. i had a lovelyiob, — was always looking for it. i had a lovelyjob, not a very well paid job _ lovelyjob, not a very well paid job i— lovelyjob, not a very well paid job i have _ lovelyjob, not a very well paid job. i have overcome that. looking forward _ job. i have overcome that. looking forward to— job. i have overcome that. looking forward to retiring and spending that the — forward to retiring and spending that the earlier time, hopefully. instead, — that the earlier time, hopefully. instead, i— that the earlier time, hopefully. instead, i did have to continue to work— instead, i did have to continue to work up — instead, i did have to continue to work up till— instead, i did have to continue to work up till two years ago. that is really— work up till two years ago. that is really nry— work up till two years ago. that is really my story, basically. a really im ortant really my story, basically. a really important story — really my story, basically. a really important story to _ really my story, basically. a really important story to tell. _ really my story, basically. a really important story to tell. i - really my story, basically. a really important story to tell. i cannot i important story to tell. i cannot thank you enough for doing that. christine in east sussex can make your story.
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christine in east sussex can make your story-— christine in east sussex can make your story. good morning. i was a woman who _ your story. good morning. i was a woman who did _ your story. good morning. i was a woman who did know _ your story. good morning. i was a woman who did know in _ your story. good morning. i was a woman who did know in 1955. - your story. good morning. i was a woman who did know in 1955. i i your story. good morning. i was a woman who did know in 1955. i do your story. good morning. i was a - woman who did know in 1955. i do not know how i knew. i try to join their company pension scheme. at that time, if you are part—time you are not allowed tojoin time, if you are part—time you are not allowed to join a pension scheme. my hands were tide as to how i could improve my lot when i retired. i am glad the report is recommending compensation. i am not too bothered about whether the dwp apologised or not. i would personally like them to stop, continuing to say we were written to. i have never, ever received a letterfrom to. i have never, ever received a letter from the dwp saying that my pension age was going to increase by five years and then six. i have written to the dwp under the data protection act and asked for them to provide me with all the correspondence that has ever been
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sent to me and they could not because there has never been a letter saying that. my understanding it is mainly the cohort of women born in 1953, 1954 that received this letter is in 2012. originally, the pension age, when it was increased, it was on a phased basis. then during that time, they then changed it for that cohort of women to make it 66. on a personal level, my husband cashed in his private pension scheme so we could live on that. and i am now in receipt of my pension. if there is compensation to be paid, i don't want to wait anotherfive years. be paid, i don't want to wait another five years. women are dying every day. he another five years. women are dying eve da . ., another five years. women are dying eve da . . ,., another five years. women are dying every day-_ i - every day. he wanted it sorted. i want it done _ every day. he wanted it sorted. i want it done and _ every day. he wanted it sorted. i want it done and sorted. -- - every day. he wanted it sorted. i want it done and sorted. -- you| want it done and sorted. —— you
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want. i do not believe there is one way to satisfy every single person. the baroness said some people that are more wealthy, perhaps, should not need to have compensation. they paid in, let the government pay out. another really significant contribution. thank you very much indeed. loads of you getting in touch. let's hear as many views as we can. cherry in 0xted. coming up it is raceway in glasgow. goad it is raceway in glasgow. good morninu. it is raceway in glasgow. good morning. hello. _ it is raceway in glasgow. good morning. hello. thank- it is raceway in glasgow. good morning. hello. thank you - it is raceway in glasgow. good morning. hello. thank you for| it is raceway in glasgow. good morning. hello. thank you for taking my call— morning. hello. thank you for taking my call today. it is morning. hello. thank you for taking my call today-— morning. hello. thank you for taking my call today-_ very - my call today. it is great. very close to my — my call today. it is great. very close to my heart. _ my call today. it is great. very close to my heart. i _ my call today. it is great. very close to my heart. i hope - my call today. it is great. very close to my heart. i hope i - my call today. it is great. very close to my heart. i hope i amj close to my heart. i hope i am speaking — close to my heart. i hope i am speaking on behalf of my friends as well. school friends, we are all the same _ well. school friends, we are all the same age — well. school friends, we are all the same age group. i live in a village where _ same age group. i live in a village where i_ same age group. i live in a village where i have grown up and still have all nry— where i have grown up and still have all my friends around, old contacts.
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to be _ all my friends around, old contacts. to be honest, we have all got different— to be honest, we have all got different circumstances about how it has affected us, not getting pensions but not being given notice. we are _ pensions but not being given notice. we are all— pensions but not being given notice. we are all disgruntled. in particular, for myself, i am self—employed. the worst part for me was not _ self—employed. the worst part for me was not getting my pension at 60 and then heading into brexit, covid, the ukraine _ then heading into brexit, covid, the ukraine warand hanging then heading into brexit, covid, the ukraine war and hanging on to my consultancy, which has not been easy _ consultancy, which has not been easy my — consultancy, which has not been easy. my income has been the worst it has— easy. my income has been the worst it has ever— easy. my income has been the worst it has ever been having worked full-time — it has ever been having worked full—time since i was 16. i was fully— full—time since i was 16. i was fully paid _ full—time since i was 16. i was fully paid up many years ago, i did my 35— fully paid up many years ago, i did my 35 years— fully paid up many years ago, i did my 35 years fully paid up for my state _ my 35 years fully paid up for my state pension. i my 35 years fully paid up for my state pension. lam my 35 years fully paid up for my state pension. i am 65 in may, i will be — state pension. i am 65 in may, i will be 66 — state pension. i am 65 in may, i will be 66 before i get my pension. 50 years _ will be 66 before i get my pension. 50 years of— will be 66 before i get my pension. 50 years of working full—time. and, it is not— 50 years of working full—time. and, it is not good. i am in good health,
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thank— it is not good. i am in good health, thank goodness. thank goodness, i am the one _ thank goodness. thank goodness, i am the one of— thank goodness. thank goodness, i am the one of my friends with lots of stamina. — the one of my friends with lots of stamina, running around. thank goodness — stamina, running around. thank goodness. if i was ill or had ailments _ goodness. if i was ill or had ailments like some of my friends and i ailments like some of my friends and i really— ailments like some of my friends and i really do _ ailments like some of my friends and i really do not know where i would be. ., . . ~' i really do not know where i would be. ., ., ., ,, ., i really do not know where i would be. ., ., .,~ ., , ., ., ., be. you are talking on behalf of a lot of your _ be. you are talking on behalf of a lot of your friends _ be. you are talking on behalf of a lot of your friends who _ be. you are talking on behalf of a lot of your friends who are - be. you are talking on behalf of a lot of your friends who are not. be. you are talking on behalf of a lot of your friends who are not as| lot of your friends who are not as lucky as you. lot of your friends who are not as lucky as you-— lot of your friends who are not as luc as ou. ~ , , lucky as you. when my friends went to 64 working _ lucky as you. when my friends went to 64 working that _ lucky as you. when my friends went to 64 working that she _ lucky as you. when my friends went to 64 working that she could - lucky as you. when my friends went to 64 working that she could not. lucky as you. when my friends went to 64 working that she could not in| to 64 working that she could not in the end _ to 64 working that she could not in the end carry on. she is in a job where _ the end carry on. she is in a job where she — the end carry on. she is in a job where she was on her feet all day and she _ where she was on her feet all day and she ended up getting up at 60. she couldn't get to 66, she spent most _ she couldn't get to 66, she spent most of— she couldn't get to 66, she spent most of her savings. another friend of mine _ most of her savings. another friend of mine has— most of her savings. another friend of mine has lupus. she has had to carry— of mine has lupus. she has had to carry on — of mine has lupus. she has had to carry on she _ of mine has lupus. she has had to carry on. she is really not well. you _ carry on. she is really not well. you know. _ carry on. she is really not well. you know. i_ carry on. she is really not well. you know, i don't think people understand that we have brought our children— understand that we have brought our children up— understand that we have brought our children up my daughter is in her 30s _ children up my daughter is in her 30s i_ children up my daughter is in her 30s i have — children up my daughter is in her 305. i have not been able to help them _ 305. i have not been able to help them with— 305. i have not been able to help them with childcare. they have both paid for— them with childcare. they have both paid for nursery because they are
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professional girl5. we live in profe55ional girl5. we live in surrey, _ profe55ional girl5. we live in surrey, it— profe55ional girl5. we live in surrey, it is incredibly expensive here _ surrey, it is incredibly expensive here. nursery care. surrey, it is incredibly expensive here. nur5ery care. when i see my daughternursery bell, over £100 a month _ daughternursery bell, over £100 a month if— daughternursery bell, over £100 a month if i— daughternursery bell, over £100 a month. if i had been able to drop to part i_ month. if i had been able to drop to part i would — month. if i had been able to drop to part i would have been at the school -ate part i would have been at the school gate now _ part i would have been at the school gate now. all of these things. a mother— gate now. all of these things. a mother who is 89. i cannot help, cannot— mother who is 89. i cannot help, cannot do— mother who is 89. i cannot help, cannot do anything. another old friend _ cannot do anything. another old friend who is 91. thank goodness that you — friend who is 91. thank goodness that you are, they are compa55 mentis — that you are, they are compa55 mentis and on the go. fabulous. very mentis and on the go. fabulou5. very active _ menti5 and on the go. fabulou5. very active i_ mentis and on the go. fabulou5. very active. i cannot vi5it mentis and on the go. fabulou5. very active. i cannot visit them. i have my own _ active. i cannot visit them. i have my own home, my own garden, my own things— my own home, my own garden, my own things to _ my own home, my own garden, my own things to do _ my own home, my own garden, my own things to do i_ my own home, my own garden, my own things to do. i am getting tired. i am having — things to do. i am getting tired. i am having a _ things to do. i am getting tired. i am having a good old whinge on but people _ am having a good old whinge on but people do— am having a good old whinge on but people do not seem to understand the bigger— people do not seem to understand the bigger picture. if you are a woman on your— bigger picture. if you are a woman on your own — bigger picture. if you are a woman on your own particular committee did not have _ on your own particular committee did not have a _ on your own particular committee did not have a second person in the house — not have a second person in the house. ., ~' ,, , . house. thank you very much indeed. we need to — house. thank you very much indeed. we need to get _ house. thank you very much indeed. we need to get this _ house. thank you very much indeed.
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we need to get this picture. - house. thank you very much indeed. we need to get this picture. all - house. thank you very much indeed. we need to get this picture. all the l we need to get this picture. all the best to you. fiona.— best to you. fiona. good morning. hello. welcome. _ best to you. fiona. good morning. hello. welcome. what _ best to you. fiona. good morning. hello. welcome. what is - best to you. fiona. good morning. hello. welcome. what is your- hello. welcome. what is your reaction and _ hello. welcome. what is your reaction and what _ hello. welcome. what is your reaction and what has - hello. welcome. what is your reaction and what has your. hello. welcome. what is your| reaction and what has your life being as a result of it? i reaction and what has your life being as a result of it?- being as a result of it? i am probably — being as a result of it? i am probably a _ being as a result of it? i am probably a more _ being as a result of it? i am probably a more fortunate l being as a result of it? ian probably a more fortunate person because i have an nhs pension. i am a waspi woman. i was born in 1957. i didn't know about it until i had letter probably about 2014, which didn't leave much. i am only guessing that was it. i looked it up online because i had heard rumours as well. i didn't know that. it doesn't give you much chance to sell to put together any extra pension. i did have my nhs... loads are women out there do not have the opportunity at all. i kept working. i went part—time because i had bad arthritis in my knees. i had both
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knee replacements. that is while i am still at work. i worked 49 years without a break. i have over paid by 14, 15 years into my state pensions. i don't get anything extra for that. then they tell me they may not compensate. i would then they tell me they may not compensate. iwould be then they tell me they may not compensate. i would be happy to have a small amount of compensation just to acknowledge what they did. i think the people who are very badly hit, there are huge amounts of women out there. most of them left work to look after children. they are the ones that are the most disadvantaged. i couldn't finish work because i had a pension to pay as well. i had to keep going to be paid off our pension. i struggled along with my niece really bad in terrible pain but i kept going. it is very sad they have fought as
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every inch of the way not to acknowledge that they have made terrible mistakes in this. i think they have attacked the most vulnerable people in society, which is women who actually take time off to have children and then lose out on pensions. to have children and then lose out on pensions-— to have children and then lose out on pensions. to have children and then lose out on ensions. ., ,, , . ., on pensions. thank you very much for those thoughts. _ on pensions. thank you very much for those thoughts. emma _ on pensions. thank you very much for those thoughts. emma insane - on pensions. thank you very much for| those thoughts. emma insane organs. loads of reaction to this. it is really busy. —— in st albans. it shows how many people are affected and how many people have family who are affected. it is going to be a big bill. £36 billion. that is a debate in itself, isn't it? listening to some of these stories. emma, did you get a letter? i listening to some of these stories. emma, did you get a letter? i didn't even aet a emma, did you get a letter? i didn't
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even get a letter. _ emma, did you get a letter? i didn't even get a letter. i _ emma, did you get a letter? i didn't even get a letter. i got _ emma, did you get a letter? i didn't even get a letter. i got nothing. - even get a letter. i got nothing. nothing? — even get a letter. i got nothing. nothin: ? ., ._ even get a letter. i got nothing. nothin: ? ., ., nothing? nothing. the way i found out, iwas nothing? nothing. the way i found out. i was 58 _ nothing? nothing. the way i found out, i was 58 and _ nothing? nothing. the way i found out, i was 58 and my _ nothing? nothing. the way i found out, i was 58 and my mum - nothing? nothing. the way i found out, i was 58 and my mum was - out, i was 58 and my mum was starting _ out, i was 58 and my mum was starting to— out, i was 58 and my mum was starting to get needy with dementia, very old _ starting to get needy with dementia, very old i_ starting to get needy with dementia, very old. i was really struggling. a teenage _ very old. i was really struggling. a teenage daughter, working. i thought. _ teenage daughter, working. i thought, i think i can retire at 60, perhaps— thought, i think i can retire at 60, perhaps i— thought, i think i can retire at 60, perhaps i could cut back on my work and then— perhaps i could cut back on my work and then i_ perhaps i could cut back on my work and then i could spend more time with mum~ — and then i could spend more time with mum~ i— and then i could spend more time with mum. i went on to the dwp website — with mum. i went on to the dwp website or— with mum. i went on to the dwp website or phone them or something and was _ website or phone them or something and was told i had to wait till i am 66. and was told i had to wait till i am 66 i_ and was told i had to wait till i am 66 iwent, — and was told i had to wait till i am 66. iwent, what? it was and was told i had to wait till i am 66. i went, what? it was a total shock — 66. i went, what? it was a total shock. there had been absolutely nothing — shock. there had been absolutely nothinu. ~ ., shock. there had been absolutely nothinu. ~ . ., shock. there had been absolutely nothinu. . ., ., shock. there had been absolutely nothin.. . . . ., ., nothing. what was that moment of shock like? — nothing. what was that moment of shock like? what? _ nothing. what was that moment of shock like? what? a _ nothing. what was that moment of shock like? what? a lot _ nothing. what was that moment of shock like? what? a lot of- nothing. what was that moment of shock like? what? a lot of women| shock like? what? a lot of women will relate to _ shock like? what? a lot of women will relate to the _ shock like? what? a lot of women will relate to the fact _ shock like? what? a lot of women will relate to the fact that - shock like? what? a lot of women will relate to the fact that when i will relate to the fact that when you are — will relate to the fact that when you are at — will relate to the fact that when you are at that stage you are exhausted already. i don't know. i felt guite — exhausted already. i don't know. i felt quite right, i had to solve another— felt quite right, i had to solve another problem. there is nothing i can do— another problem. there is nothing i can do about it. what i really wanted — can do about it. what i really
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wanted to _ can do about it. what i really wanted to raise i5 can do about it. what i really wanted to raise is about the government. going back to cameron and everything. around that sort of time i_ and everything. around that sort of time i got — and everything. around that sort of time i got a — and everything. around that sort of time i got a payout for ppi mis—selling of financial products. the dwp, — mis—selling of financial products. the dwp, if they had been a bank, the government would have been on them _ the government would have been on them like _ the government would have been on them like a — the government would have been on them like a tonne of bricks. it would — them like a tonne of bricks. it would all— them like a tonne of bricks. it would all have been settled. because they are _ would all have been settled. because they are themselves, if you like, they— they are themselves, if you like, they get— they are themselves, if you like, they get away with it. yet there is they get away with it. yet there is they would — they get away with it. yet there is they would have thought. we are exhausted, my generation, these women, — exhausted, my generation, these women, at — exhausted, my generation, these women, at the end of the 505, i am one woman — women, at the end of the 505, i am one woman who has worked in the end, i one woman who has worked in the end, i don't _ one woman who has worked in the end, i don't know— one woman who has worked in the end, i don't know how. we are sort of the first generation doing this kind of mega _ first generation doing this kind of mega juggling. and it is very tiring — mega juggling. and it is very tiring. not all the women of this generation have had the education, where _ generation have had the education, where as— generation have had the education, where as lucky as i ended up being at grammar— where as lucky as i ended up being at grammar school and things like that _ at grammar school and things like that i_ at grammar school and things like that ijust— at grammar school and things like that. ijust feel that comment that
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was once — that. ijust feel that comment that was once made, oh, they will go away! _ was once made, oh, they will go away! it— was once made, oh, they will go away! it probably was quite cynical. i away! it probably was quite cynical. i want _ away! it probably was quite cynical. i want to— away! it probably was quite cynical. i want to say publicly i did not get involved _ i want to say publicly i did not get involved in— i want to say publicly i did not get involved in the waspi because, i went— involved in the waspi because, i went to — involved in the waspi because, i went to one meeting, i had too much on my— went to one meeting, i had too much on my plate — went to one meeting, i had too much on my plate. i went to one meeting, i had too much on my plate-— on my plate. i love that phrase you came out with. _ on my plate. i love that phrase you came out with, just _ on my plate. i love that phrase you came out with, just another- on my plate. i love that phrase you came out with, just another thing l on my plate. i love that phrase you| came out with, just another thing to deal with. came out with, just another thing to dealwith. i came out with, “ust another thing to deal with. ., ., came out with, “ust another thing to dealwith. ., ., ., ,, deal with. i want to thank them. they stuck _ deal with. i want to thank them. they stuck in — deal with. i want to thank them. they stuck in there. _ deal with. i want to thank them. they stuck in there. the - deal with. i want to thank them. they stuck in there. the irony i deal with. i want to thank them. they stuck in there. the irony ofj they stuck in there. the irony of irony. _ they stuck in there. the irony of irony, finally retired last year and mum _ irony, finally retired last year and mum died — irony, finally retired last year and mum died a month before. you just think. _ mum died a month before. you just think. it _ mum died a month before. you just think. it is — mum died a month before. you just think, it is hard. people don't understand what women are doing. they are _ understand what women are doing. they are taking it on. when you get old. they are taking it on. when you get old i_ they are taking it on. when you get old i know— they are taking it on. when you get old. i know lots of women my age who are very— old. i know lots of women my age who are very ill~ _ old. i know lots of women my age who are very ill~ i_ old. i know lots of women my age who are very ill. i think it is because they— are very ill. i think it is because they do— are very ill. i think it is because they do to _ are very ill. i think it is because they do to match. this crankiness, it must— they do to match. this crankiness, it must be — they do to match. this crankiness, it must be put right. it really has.
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-- cruminess~ _ it must be put right. it really has. -- cruminess— it must be put right. it really has. -- cruminess. carla in manchester. hello. -- cruminess. carla in manchester. hello- hello- _ -- cruminess. carla in manchester. hello. hello. goodness— -- cruminess. carla in manchester. hello. hello. goodness me, - -- cruminess. carla in manchester. hello. hello. goodness me, it- -- cruminess. carla in manchester. hello. hello. goodness me, it is. hello. hello. goodness me, it is bus . hello. hello. goodness me, it is busy- the _ hello. hello. goodness me, it is busy. the report _ hello. hello. goodness me, it is busy. the report is _ hello. hello. goodness me, it is busy. the report is suggesting i busy. the report is suggesting case—by—case compensation and maybe 1000 to 3000. think how long that may take to sort out! mr; 1000 to 3000. think how long that may take to sort out!— may take to sort out! my mum was born in the — may take to sort out! my mum was born in the 50s. _ may take to sort out! my mum was born in the 50s. she _ may take to sort out! my mum was born in the 50s. she married - may take to sort out! my mum was born in the 50s. she married my i may take to sort out! my mum was i born in the 50s. she married my dad, had three girls. worked her whole working life. they should have retired at the same time so the rest of their retirement they spent together. unfortunately, this has come in and my mum retired and my dad waited two years for her to retire and then he retired in november. my man worked all her
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working life waiting to spend the rest of their lives, their retirement days with their husbands, partners, whatever, like the lady before who lost her mother. they bought a caravan, wanted to spend our time together going away and that was ripped away from them because this government decided to bring in rules to save millions and billions of pounds. everything these women should have had, it was taken away from them. they need it back and they need it now.— and they need it now. hello, elizabeth. — and they need it now. hello, elizabeth. what _ and they need it now. hello, elizabeth. what was - and they need it now. hello, elizabeth. what was the - and they need it now. hello, i elizabeth. what was the impact and they need it now. hello, - elizabeth. what was the impact of these changes for you? absolutely hu . e. these changes for you? absolutely hue. i these changes for you? absolutely huge- i lived _ these changes for you? absolutely huge. i lived in _ these changes for you? absolutely huge. i lived in a _ these changes for you? absolutely huge. i lived in a very _ these changes for you? absolutely huge. i lived in a very nice - huge. i lived in a very nice detached _ huge. i lived in a very nice detached house in hereford. my husband — detached house in hereford. my husband died in 2014 when i was working — husband died in 2014 when i was working full time. entitled to my full pension when i retired at 60, so i thought. unfortunately, they
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moved _ so i thought. unfortunately, they moved the goal and i didn't get my pension— moved the goal and i didn't get my pension until two months ago, who are! when — pension until two months ago, who are! when i — pension until two months ago, who are! when i suddenly got £156 every week of— are! when i suddenly got £156 every week of entitlement from my husband's estate, from his contributions to his pension. now had i_ contributions to his pension. now had i had — contributions to his pension. now had i had that many when he died, i would _ had i had that many when he died, i would not _ had i had that many when he died, i would not have had to sell my house and downsize. i would not have used all and downsize. ! would not have used all my— and downsize. i would not have used all my profits from selling the house. — all my profits from selling the house. i— all my profits from selling the house, i wouldn't have racked up house, iwouldn't have racked up credit— house, i wouldn't have racked up credit card — house, i wouldn't have racked up credit card debts i have had to in order— credit card debts i have had to in order to — credit card debts i have had to in order to survive until my pension finally— order to survive until my pension finally came and like many of your speakers, — finally came and like many of your speakers, i— finally came and like many of your speakers, i have worked all my life. i speakers, i have worked all my life. i have _ speakers, i have worked all my life. i have paid — speakers, i have worked all my life. i have paid ni contributions. not only is— i have paid ni contributions. not only is it — i have paid ni contributions. not only is it my pension but has been affected _ only is it my pension but has been affected by— only is it my pension but has been affected by this that £7,488 of my husband's who worked all his life.
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that is— husband's who worked all his life. that is £74,000 of pension i would have received from him when i was 60. have received from him when i was 60 so— have received from him when i was 60 so i_ have received from him when i was 60. so i have had additional hardship _ 60. so i have had additional hardship because they meet the age of my— hardship because they meet the age of my entitlement. -- hardship because they meet the age of my entitlement.— of my entitlement. -- they moved. lots of text — of my entitlement. -- they moved. lots of text as _ of my entitlement. -- they moved. lots of text as well _ of my entitlement. -- they moved. lots of text as well coming - of my entitlement. -- they moved. lots of text as well coming in - of my entitlement. -- they moved. lots of text as well coming in on i lots of text as well coming in on this. let me go through a few of them. what no one mentions is that women of this generation did not... so many texts. it is changing before my very eyes. i will find that one again. the bus driver told my wife he was not... she was not getting a bus pass till she was 66. that is out. she found out about the pension age, that it was changed, she thought she was getting at the following year. that was seven years ago. no letters or anything from the dwp. what no one mentions his women in this generation did not have the
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same opportunities as men. job opportunities were limited and did not have access to company pension schemes. they will have to wait a long time before a decision is made. i want my payment, it ruined my life, made it so difficult. i reckon i am owed £40,000, born 1953. i should have retired at 60 in 2018 but had continued to work due to not having my pension. i hope we have compensation for these years. i am one of these waspi women. i have had to wait an extra six years for my pension along with so many other women my age. i never received a letter warning of this. i do agree the state pension had to be brought in line with men, that is not an issue. though it was handled by dwp was diabolical and now needs to be put right. i could carry on reading these until teatime. let's hear
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another voice and that is from, let me see, he was on? so many. elizabeth in hereford. good morning, elizabeth. not there. —— who is on? it is a technical issue because it is prettyjammed this morning. sandra in pontefract. flan is pretty jammed this morning. sandra in pontefract.— is pretty jammed this morning. sandra in pontefract. can ie your voice? good _ sandra in pontefract. can ie your voice? good morning. _ sandra in pontefract. can ie your voice? good morning. how- sandra in pontefract. can ie your voice? good morning. how has l sandra in pontefract. can ie your| voice? good morning. how has it affected you? — voice? good morning. how has it affected you? -- _ voice? good morning. how has it affected you? -- can _ voice? good morning. how has it affected you? -- can i— voice? good morning. how has it affected you? -- can i hear- voice? good morning. how has it affected you? -- can i hear your| affected you? —— can i hear your voice? ! affected you? -- can i hear your voice? ., , , , ., affected you? -- can i hear your voice? ., i, voice? i got my pension last may. i have a small _ voice? i got my pension last may. i have a small mortgage, _ voice? i got my pension last may. i have a small mortgage, i _ voice? i got my pension last may. i have a small mortgage, i am - voice? i got my pension last may. i | have a small mortgage, i am single and live _ have a small mortgage, ! am single and live on— have a small mortgage, i am single and live on my own. i mainly live on too good _ and live on my own. i mainly live on too good to— and live on my own. i mainly live on too good to go bags because i cannot afford _ too good to go bags because i cannot afford a _ too good to go bags because i cannot afford a big _ too good to go bags because i cannot afford a big shop. it is affecting me a _ afford a big shop. it is affecting me a lot — afford a big shop. it is affecting me a lot i_ afford a big shop. it is affecting me a lot. i haven't had a holiday for over— me a lot. i haven't had a holiday for over seven years. i did work
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full time — for over seven years. i did work full time i_ for over seven years. i did work fulltime. i had to for over seven years. i did work full time. i had to work full—time. so it— full time. i had to work full—time. so it is— full time. i had to work full—time. so it is one — full time. i had to work full—time. so it is one of those things. but we do decide _ so it is one of those things. but we do decide to — so it is one of those things. but we do decide to get full compensation. it is do decide to get full compensation. it is so _ do decide to get full compensation. it is so good. the government... pushing — it is so good. the government... pushing nest under the carpet, which ithink— pushing nest under the carpet, which i think they— pushing nest under the carpet, which i think they will do. i feel that they— i think they will do. i feel that they will— i think they will do. i feel that they will try to get away with it, like the — they will try to get away with it, like the dwp saying we will not do anything — like the dwp saying we will not do anything. that, malpractice, maladministration, whatever you want to call— maladministration, whatever you want to call it. _ maladministration, whatever you want to call it. i_ maladministration, whatever you want to call it, i never got any letters. just to— to call it, i never got any letters. just to remind people, the ombudsman has said the investigation found failings in the way the dwp communicated changes to women's state pension age. many people getting in touch with us saying they never got any communication. they never got any communication. they never got any information on anything. it'll be interesting to see where the buck does eventually
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stop the dwp. nothing for you. no indication this is going to happen. not at all. i was so surprised. i have _ not at all. i was so surprised. i have worked all my life. basically, when _ have worked all my life. basically, when all— have worked all my life. basically, when all of— have worked all my life. basically, when all of this came about, i didn't— when all of this came about, i didn't know about the waspi women until about _ didn't know about the waspi women until about three years ago. then it was like. _ until about three years ago. then it was like. oh — until about three years ago. then it was like, oh my gosh! this is a good thing. _ was like, oh my gosh! this is a good thing, people are fighting. it is really— thing, people are fighting. it is really diabolical. a letter could have _ really diabolical. a letter could have gone out to every single person in their— have gone out to every single person in their 50s— have gone out to every single person in their505 to have gone out to every single person in their 505 to say, look, there retirement— in their 505 to say, look, there retirement age is going up, make some _ retirement age is going up, make some extra — retirement age is going up, make some extra provision. mostly most people _ some extra provision. mostly most people would have been able to do that _ people would have been able to do that. obviously, there were no warnings _ that. obviously, there were no warnings. it that. obviously, there were no warninus. . that. obviously, there were no warnings-— warnings. it is great you got in touch this morning. _ warnings. it is great you got in touch this morning. thank - warnings. it is great you got in touch this morning. thank you | warnings. it is great you got in - touch this morning. thank you very much indeed. what was it like for
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you? much indeed. what was it like for ou? �* ' . much indeed. what was it like for ou? ' ., ., much indeed. what was it like for ou? ' . ., ~f~ much indeed. what was it like for ou? �* ' ., ., f~ , much indeed. what was it like for ou? ' ., ., ., you? awful. i am now 68 but i got divorced when _ you? awful. i am now 68 but i got divorced when i _ you? awful. i am now 68 but i got divorced when i was _ you? awful. i am now 68 but i got divorced when i was 59. _ you? awful. i am now 68 but i got divorced when i was 59. i - you? awful. i am now 68 but i got divorced when i was 59. i ended . you? awful. i am now 68 but i got| divorced when i was 59. i ended up having to go back to work and trying to support myself, it was horrible. it was so hard, i can't begin to tell you. i ended up staying with friends and relatives for a while and then i ended up on my brother's driveway in a caravan. i could only get part time work and i could not get part time work and i could not get any help with any rent money because i was over 60. you couldn't get help with your rent and your council tax. and yet... because there was a 65 thing for having to work until, it was like and no man's
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land in between 60 and 65 and i could not get any help. did land in between 60 and 65 and i could not get any help.- land in between 60 and 65 and i could not get any help. did you have an idea could not get any help. did you have any idea this — could not get any help. did you have any idea this was _ could not get any help. did you have any idea this was happening, - could not get any help. did you have any idea this was happening, this i any idea this was happening, this was going to happen? trio. any idea this was happening, this was going to happen?— any idea this was happening, this was going to happen? no, not until it was imminent. _ was going to happen? no, not until it was imminent. my _ was going to happen? no, not until it was imminent. my birthday - was going to happen? no, not until it was imminent. my birthday was l was going to happen? no, not until| it was imminent. my birthday was in the september when i was 65. the pension age went up to 66 in the october. i still had to work an extra year. that really annoyed me as well. i had got to that 65 and then realised i had to work another year as well. i am just kind of getting back on my feet but it is still really difficult, trying to make ends meet every month. you know, being homeless was horrible. it was nowhere near as bad as a lot of people that i understand, people
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have lived in their own cars and things. it is crazy.— things. it is crazy. thank you. crummy _ things. it is crazy. thank you. crummy and _ things. it is crazy. thank you. crummy and crazy _ things. it is crazy. thank you. crummy and crazy are - things. it is crazy. thank you. crummy and crazy are two i things. it is crazy. thank you. i crummy and crazy are two words things. it is crazy. thank you. - crummy and crazy are two words i have heard recently. heartbreaking. 0ne phone call tells a thousand stories. leslie in dorchester, good morning. we have a couple of minutes, i might have to harry u. tell me how it affected you? it affected me and my husband because my husband carried on working, he was 68, to enable us to survive, really. i was very lucky i had a very supportive husband. so many women did not have that. it must have been a terrible struggle for them. also i gave up myjob at the time to care for my mother. i am an only child. she was living in her
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own home and she had dementia. i had to oversee all of her health and welfare affairs, ensure she was safe and welfare was being looked after and welfare was being looked after and the house was still running properly. that was something else that was going on within the family as well. i never heard anything from the government to say they were going to change the age of us getting our pensions. i actually heard the news, she was still working at this time, she was exactly the same age as me. other than that i had no idea, absolutely oblivious. i know they said at the time when all first hit the news, it was in the newspapers. we didn't buy newspapers. was in the newspapers. we didn't buy newspapers-— newspapers. thank you. what a response! _ newspapers. thank you. what a response! communication - newspapers. thank you. what a l response! communication failure newspapers. thank you. what a i response! communication failure is at the top of the list.
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live from london. this is bbc news. we are bringing you more on the breaking news that nicky campbell is bringing you the seller that the government watchdog has ruled that the government compromises pays women. women born in the 1950s are owed money, but the department for work and pensions has clearly indicated that it will refuse to comply. the report says that that is unacceptable. the ombudsman urges
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parliament intervenes to ensure a compensation scheme is established. let's get onto this with ben wilson. what compensation scheme is established. let's get onto this with ben wilson. what has compensation scheme is established. let's get onto this with ben wilson. what has been compensation scheme is established. let's get onto this with ben wilson. what has been said compensation scheme is established. let's get onto this with ben wilson. what has been said this compensation scheme is established. let's get onto this with ben wilson. what has been said this morning? essentially it is saying as he set out there that it is recognising there has been a significant problem here. in fact it was nearly three years ago now that the parliamentary ombudsman there said that the delay to telling women about these changes was unacceptable. the ombudsman repeating those concerns today, using some very strong language as you set out, but stopping short of setting a figure on how much compensation women should be paid. campaigners had hoped that a figure might be included in this report. they hope that it might recommend some women could be paid more than £10,000 each because of the experiences they have had on this issue. the chair of the wasp —— the chair of the waspi campaign which
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