5. Will the Counsel General provide an update on discussions with law officers regarding the plight of women born in the 1950s refused their state pension by the UK Government? OQ62145

State pension matters are non-devolved and are the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK, so I've had no discussions of that sort.

Okay. Thank you for that. I declare an interest, Llywydd, because my mother was born in the 1950s.

I would like to pay tribute to those campaigners who fought for justice and fairness for women born in the 1950s, some of whom are in the public gallery this afternoon. These women have suffered a double injustice, firstly by having their state pensions denied them, and secondly by having a Westminster Government that used to acknowledge that fact now refuse to give them what they're owed. Now, Plaid Cymru supports a vote on this issue in the House of Commons. Would the Counsel General agree that there is a need for mediation in order to discuss levels of compensation, redress and, of course, the question of embedding the rights of CEDAW in domestic law? Now, whilst we don't have powers over pensions here, would the Welsh Government consider playing a role in any mediation that would come about, because there is a lot of anger, a feeling of betrayal about this decision? These women are tired of waiting for the UK Government to do what is right. So, would you support me in that call and for seeing whether there could be a need for mediation so that, at last, what is right can be given to these women?

I ought to say, Llywydd, that I should declare an interest as I am one of the women in question. I was born in the 1950s and my pension age was delayed very considerably. So, I ought to say that I'm in the same category. I am, however, very fortunate to be still working and not so dependent on a pension. I have two very, very good friends who have died without having a resolution to this, both of whom suffered very much from the change in the pension age that they were not able to plan for because of the way in which it was communicated. 

It's a really serious, complicated issue, and we know that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has responded in full to the ombudsman's report. The ombudsman only investigated how the state pension age change was communicated; they didn't investigate the policy itself. That was agreed by Parliament back in 1995 and was considered lawful by the court at the time. So, this is about the communication, I think. The UK Government has apologised for the 28-month delay in writing to women and have said that they will learn the lessons on that, and they will ensure that they take forward lessons on future communications as well. So, it's a small step forward.

I think that the Welsh Government would very much like to assist people who are in income deficit as a result of a number of things, and this being one of them. My colleague Jane Hutt has been working very hard in this area. It isn't devolved to Wales. So, with my Counsel General hat on, I can't in all conscience say that the Welsh Government can play a role in that formally because it is just not a devolved issue. It is very much a reserved issue. But, of course, we do work very hard to ensure that people in Wales get justice in a number of areas and we work very hard to make sure that they're supported with the right advice, and we're very happy to help in any campaign that maximises income to people in Wales. So, I guess it's a qualified 'yes'. I mean, my heart absolutely goes out to people caught up in this, many of whom have suffered severe consequences to their lifestyle and ability to survive, really. But, I think, with my Counsel General hat on, I have to say this is reserved and so I can't have a formal role in it. But, I think, Delyth, Jane Hutt and I would be very happy to discuss with you anything that can be taken forward in a campaign sense.