Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
When we asked if the Department is able to provide greater clarity to those who...
Conclusion
When we asked if the Department is able to provide greater clarity to those who think they may have been affected, the Department said that it cannot publish guidance for those who may have been underpaid, such as an online questionnaire, because it believes it cannot accurately cover all possible underpayment scenarios. It said it did not want ‘to miss customers who are eligible for a payment’ and would be unwilling to provide misleading information. However, there remain 153,000 records for which the Department says that ‘it is unable to trace’ the information on the national insurance records of their partner, meaning these pensioners may miss out on an uplift.38 It said it updated information on GOV.UK and on the phone system and promised ‘to continue to explore whether it is feasible to broaden out the guidance’.39
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
3.2 The department welcomes the endorsement of action already taken with their proposed recommendation, although rejects the Committee’s conclusion. As the department set out in the Committee hearing on 28 October 2021 (see questions 149 to 154); there is information on Gov.uk about deriving (Category BL) State Pension, inheriting State Pension through spouse or civil partner, inheriting state pension through partner and Category D (over age 80) State Pension. In 2021 the Category BL and inheritance content was revised, making it easier to find and to emphasise further that some individuals must make a claim and how they can do this. 3.3 The department has conducted complex scans of its computer systems to identify those who may fall into the three broad cohorts covered by the exercise. Where underpayments are identified, the department will contact those affected to inform them of the changes to their State Pension amount, and any arrears due. 3.4 The department is working with the General Registrar’s Office, Coroner’s Office and National Records of Scotland to establish datalinks to identify next of kin details they may hold. 3.5 In addition, the department will provide a more direct route for those enquiring about underpaid State Pension in respect of a deceased customer. The department will update Gov.uk by Summer 2022.