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Campaign for Pensions Justice -
Parliamentary Ombudsman, FAS, European Court,
Judicial Review
Sunday Post - Scandal of our different rules for banks' pensions
Feature article in Scotland's Sunday Post, discussing the injustice of taxpayers protecting bankers' pensions in full, while not paying anything at all to restore pensions of other workers. Taxpayers rescue bank pensions 100%
Press Release asking how it can be right that bankers' pensions are 100% underwritten by taxpayers, while Government has always said taxpayers could not 'afford' to restore pension victims pensions in full, despite Parliamentary Ombudsman, High Court and Court of Appeal verdicts.
Response to Financial
Assistance Scheme consultation Ros' response to latest DWP consultation document concerning proposed new regulations for the Financial Assistance Scheme. Ros criticizes some of the unfair proposals apparently designed to save short-term costs, but denying victims their money.
Serious ill health
FAS provision disgraceful Ros' response to consultation paper expressing disappointment and outrage at the delays in helping seriously ill victims with strokes, heart attacks, cancer etc. Even a year after the announcement to improve the FAS, these victims are still being left out and some have died.
Parliamentary
Ombudsman supports Equitable Life
victims Article published in Financial Adviser commenting on prospects for Equitable Life victims following the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendation of compensation.
When
'hands-off' regulation means 'eyes
shut'! Article published in the Daily Telegraph with Ros' commenting on the prospects of more fighting ahead for Equitable Life victims, despite the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendation of compensation.
Financial Adviser
'Time to Listen to Some
Reason' Article commissioned by Financial Adviser magazine describing the Victory for the Pensions Action Group in the Court of Appeal and explaining why the Government's consideration of appealing further to the House of Lords is a waste of time and taxpayer's money.
Victory again in
Judicial Review Appeal Three appeal court judges delivered a stunningly strong verdict against the UK Government. They dismissed the Government's appeals against the Judicial Review High Court ruling and upheld the verdict that its behaviour in this case has been irrational and unlawful. They also found that the maladministration caused more than just financial losses, but also led to non-financial injustices which have not yet been recognised at all.
Saga article about
victory in Judicial Review Court of Appeal
case Article written for Saga website describing the victory in the Court of Appeal and the Government's humiliating defeat which saw its appeal against the High Court Judicial Review verdict dismissed.
House Magazine
article 'Hard luck and promises' about
successful Parliamentary campaign
Article published in the House Magazine (Parliamentary Weekly) explaining some of the anguish involved and lessons learned in battling on behalf of the impoverished members of failed company pension schemes.
Seasons Greetings to
all pension victims Ros sends best wishes to all those who have lost their pensions, wishing them at last a happy new year!
Victory - details of
FAS changes announced by Peter
Hain Ros writes to all victims on email group to explain what has happened, that the Government has finally offered to treat the FAS the same as the PPF and that this is a tremendous achievement - she congratulates all of them and thanks are due to so many supporters.
Victory – A
decent FAS settlement at last! Wonderful news! Press Release welcoming the announcement from Peter Hain, Secretary of State at DWP, that the FAS will be extended to put it on a par with the Pension Protection Fund, following publication of the Young Review.
Press Release: FAS
time to sort it out, not string it
out Ros' comments on what would be required for a reasonable settlement of the problems of the FAS to stop the issue dragging on any longer.
Scrooge lives on
– Government must
compensate Ros highlights rumours that Numbers 10 and 11 Downing Street are refusing to allow the DWP Ministers to offer a proper extension of the Financial Assistance Scheme before Christmas, despite previous commitments. There seems to be a row in Government over this issue.
Pensions Action Group
announces all-night vigil outside Downing
Street Announcement from Pensions Action Group of all-night vigil on 20-21 November outside Downing Street, calling for the Prime Minister and Chancellor to recognise how desperate their plight is and meet them to try to justify the Government's refusal to pay proper compensation – especially after the 100% rescue of Northern Rock depositors.
Announcing an
all-night vigil outside Downing
Street Release explaining that – despite the winter weather - desperate pension victims will spend all night on the pavement in Whitehall outside Downing Street and deliver a letter begging for justice.
Money Marketing
article about Northern Rock and
FAS Article written for Money Marketing explaining how the Government's refusal to offer fair compensation to victims of pension scheme wind-ups is impossible to sustain after its decision to bail out Northern Rock savers 100% at a cost of billions of pounds of taxpayers' money.
Daily Mail article
outlining injustices of Government
policy Article published in Daily Mail on 24 September 2007 explaining why the lack of compensation for pension victims is indefensible after the hurried bail-out of Northern Rock depositors.
Prime Minister's
answers to David Cameron at Question
Time Ros' comments on extracts from Hansard showing the answers given by Tony Blair to questions from David Cameron which called for improvements to the FAS, asked for a Treasury emergency loan to be given to help his constituent who has leukaemia, is 68 and has had no pension and no FAS.
Breathtaking double
standards offering 100% compensation to Northern
Rock depositors Release highlighting the injustice of Government immediately rescuing Northern Rock savers with a 100% guarantee, while continuing to maintain that taxpayers can't compensate pension victims who have been struggling for years with no pension.
Money Marketing
article on double standards of Northern Rock
rescue Article published in Money Marketing magazine explaining the injustices of bailing out Northern Rock savers 100% while offering pension savers far less security.
Saga website –
update on Pensions Action Group
campaign Article for Saga website updating members on the latest developments in the campaign for compensation for those who lost their pensions when their final salary scheme failed.
Release welcoming
interim report of the DWP review of scheme assets,
which explains that the aims of the Lifeboat scheme
are achievable Ros points to the interim Report which validates her long-held view that not annuitising the FAS eligible scheme assets would be much better for members, would save money for the taxpayer and would allow increased compensation without extra taxpayer costs. The Appendix in the review also highlights how a scheme to collect unclaimed life policies such as from Ireland, could raise £230m initially and then £70m a year thereafter.
Press Release
highlighting ABI errors and scaremongering about the
cross-party Lifeboat plans to rescue the pension
victims The cross-party Lifeboat plans would not entail taking any money from other pension schemes or from orphan assets. The Lifeboat merely provides a government underpin and then money can be taken from any unclaimed assets that the Government decides to use – assets with owners will not be touched.
MP Briefing on cross
party Lifeboat amendments Briefing for MPs on why Government's criticisms of Lifeboat amendments are unjustified.
Comments on FAS
annual report Ros calls on the new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to draw a line with the past, move away from spin and end the shambles of the Financial Assistance Scheme. She comments on the FAS annual report which shows this 'assistance' scheme has paid more for official costs of running it than it has to those who lost their pensions.
Announcement of a
Tory Fringe meeting at Labour Party Conference
before fifth 'Stripped of our Pensions'
annual demonstration Release announcing that the Tories will hold their first-ever fringe meeting at the LABOUR party conference on 25 September 2007, to call on the Government to compensate victims at least to PPF levels, then followed by another 'Stripped of Our Pensions' demonstration.
Grounds for Second Judicial
Review Legal papers submitted explaining the grounds for the Second Judicial Review against the Government, launched by wind-up victims still fighting for a fair settlement which has so far been denied to them, despite Government promises.
Come on Gordon – sort out this
mess Lead comment published in Sunday Telegraph as an open letter calling on Gordon Brown to end the suffering of the victims of scheme wind-ups by adopting the amendments recently passed in the House of Lords.
Lords expected to back amendments for
fair compensation Release about the expected defeat for the Government in the House of Lords when Tories and LibDems, backed by a number of cross-bench peers will vote on the amendments to Clause 18 of the Pensions Bill, calling for a Lifeboat fund to be established to help pay Pension Protection Fund level benefits to those currently in the inadequate Financial Assistance Scheme.
Letter to Gordon Brown pleading for
justice Letter sent to Gordon Brown congratulating him on being next Prime Minister, explaining the shortcomings of the Financial Assistance Scheme and asking him to act quickly when in power to adopt a fair solution.
Letter before action for Second
Judicial Review Letter before action sent to the DWP solicitors notifying them that victims will be asking the High Court to once again Judicially Review the Government's decisions on the FAS.
Letter to Mick Leahy asking for union
support for fair compensation Letter sent to Mick Leahy asking him to lend his union's support to the amendments to the Pensions Bill which would ensure higher and faster payments to victims of pension scheme wind-ups, also explaining why these amendments are so important.
Ros Witness Statement for Second
Judicial Review Ros' Witness Statement submitted to the High Court in support of the application for a Second Judicial Review. The case for expedition and the suffering that is being left unaddressed is highlighted.
Announcement of second Judicial Review
against Government Release announcing that victims of scheme wind-ups are being forced to go back to the High Court to Judicially Review the Government's recent budget announcements of extensions to the Financial Assistance Scheme which do not comply with the High Court ruling in the first JR.
Briefing for Peers ahead of Lords vote
on compensation amendments Briefing sent by Ros to members of the House of Lords to help them understand the proposed amendments to Clause 18 of the Pensions Bill calling for the FAS to be increased to PPF levels and paid immediately.
Prime Minister's answers to David
Cameron at Question Time Ros' comments on extracts from Hansard showing the answers given by Tony Blair to questions from David Cameron which called for improvements to the FAS, asked for a Treasury emergency loan to be given to help his constituent who has leukaemia, is 68 and has had no pension and no FAS.
MP briefing explaining proposed
amendments to Pensions Bill Letter sent to Mick Leahy asking him to lend his union's support to the amendments to the Pensions Bill which would ensure higher and faster payments to victims of pension scheme wind-ups, also explaining why these amendments are so important.
Release on Gordon Brown's removal
of ACT relief Ros' initial reaction to revelations about the advice given to Gordon Brown in 1997 ahead of his decision to remove dividend tax relief from pension funds, explaining that the decision was irresponsible.
Money Marketing feature on ‘The
Muddled Maths’ of the Chancellor on FAS Article published in Money Marketing explaining why the extension to the FAS that the Chancellor announced in the Budget was not all it appears to be and will not deliver a fair solution at all.
The Cold, naked truth – Budget
announcements more spin Article published in Financial Adviser which explains that the recently announced extension to the Financial Assistance Scheme is not worth £8bn at all, but the real cost of the FAS is just £1.9bn, which will be further reduced once tax and benefits are accounted for. The Chancellor had an opportunity to provide a fair solution but opted for more spin instead.
Release cautioning against euphoria
about FAS extension Press Release explaining that the extension to the FAS announced in the Budget is not all it seems.
Press release on Budget FAS
extension Press Release giving Ros’ reaction to the FAS extension announced in the Budget – more fiddled figures and spin.
Global Pensions magazine article on
Judicial Review verdict Article published by Global Pensions Magazine explaining that the Government has been found guilty of behaving unlawfully and irrationally when rejecting the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report and refusing to accept maladministration..
Briefing note for MPs on real costs of
compensation Briefing note for MPs explaining that the costs of full compensation would be tiny in terms of Government expenditure each year, that the taxpayer could easily afford this, but that other sources of funds are available too if the Government wishes to find them..
Benefit errors by officials cost over
£700million a year! Official errors in benefit calculations have resulted in taxpayers overpaying hundreds of millions of pounds a year in benefits to people who are not entitled to them. This note gives a breakdown for one year.
PMI Opinion Piece on Judicial Review
verdict against Government Opinion Piece published in PMI Magazine explaining that the Government has been found guilty in the Judicial Review and asking PMI members to support the Parliamentary moves for compensation.
Press Release – High court
verdict Government irrational and unlawful Press Release explaining that the Government has been found guilty of maladministration and that the High Court says ‘no reasonable Secretary of State could rationally disagree’ with the Ombudsman that the public was badly misled by official pension ‘guides’.
Press Release – Hurray,
Government is guilty! Press Release welcoming the verdict in the High Court Judicial Review which found against the Government and ruled that the rejection of the Ombudsman’s report was unlawful and irrational.
Summary of Judicial Review hearing Ros was in court for the entire three day hearing of this Judicial Review case against the Government. This is her report of the proceedings and the case made by both sides.
Press release announcing 7th Feb demo
to coincide with JR Press Release announcing that there will be a demonstration on 7th February – to coincide with the Judicial Review hearings. MPs will join their constituents on Parliament Green to show the Government their support for the victims and to demand compensation be paid.
Government was defeated in Judicial
Review Note explaining that the Government was indeed defeated in the Judicial Review and the High Court ruling established that the Secretary of State’s rejection of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report was unlawful and irrational.
Judicial Review Ros third Witness
Statement Ros’ third Witness Statement prepared for the High Court Judicial Review hearings, explaining the ongoing injustices that are being suffered by those who lost their pensions and how this is the Government’s responsibility.
Professional Pensions article on
Judicial Review verdict Article published in Professional Pensions magazine explaining that the Government has been found guilty in the Judicial Review.
Ros’ second witness statement for
Judicial Review case Second Witness Statement prepared by Ros for the Judicial Review case, explaining why many of the Government’s assertions are incorrect.
Figures showing that FAS does not
really pay 80% Paper prepared for Judicial Review highlighting that the FAS does not really pay 80% of expected pension and for most people it will be closer to 60% or even less. The figures were also prepared with the help of Ronnie Sloan, a leading independent actuary.
Letter explaining injustices of deemed
buyback Letter written to Professional Pensions magazine explaining why deemed buyback is not working and that members cannot get any advice to understand what they need to do. If they have AVC’s these are confiscated if they choose deemed buyback.
Press Release - Government
summoned to High Court Press Release announcing that the Government has been summoned to appear before a High Court judge immediately to explain their failure to comply with the court timetable for the Judicial Review case. The DWP has effectively disqualified itself from the case and has had to seek permission to remain able to participate!
Explanation of FAS
shortcomings Briefing note to explain the inadequacies of the Financial Assistance Scheme and what needs to be done to deliver a proper solution.
Letter handed to 10 Downing Street Letter delivered to both the Chancellor and the Prime Minister on 5th November, along with a petition and letters from grandchildren of victims who have lost their pensions, asking them to immediately organise a proper rescue scheme to restore these pensions.
Press Release on Government rejection
of PASC report Press Release expressing disappointment at the Government’s rejection of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Public Admninstraton Select Committee (PASC) report.
Government rejects PASC report Ros explains that the Government has rejected the recommendations of the PASC report and rejects the reasons given.
Press Release announcing date for
Judicial Review hearing on 7th Feb 2007 Press Release announcing that the Judicial Review hearing will take place in the High Court on 7th February 2007 and that the hearing has been expedited due to the suffering of the victims who have lost their pensions.
Trust and Pensions in
Parliament Ros' presentation in House of Commons to All Party Parliamentary Pensions Group explaining background to the pension losses of wind-up victims, why Parliamentary Ombudsman and PASC call for compensation and why rescue is urgent.
PMI Soapbox – please support
compensation for wind-up victims Article published in Pensions Management Institute (PMI) magazine, calling for the pensions industry to support the campaign for compensation for those affected by wind-up.
Ignoring the Ombudsman –
Government worse than Maxwell Article by Peter Humphrey explaining why the G overnment must accept the verdict of its own Ombudsman and the Parliamentary Select Committee and restore pensions to the victims of scheme wind-ups. Published in Parliamentary Brief October 2006, Vol 10, No. 10.
Speech at Labour Party conference demo
Manchester Speech given by Ros at a press meeting after ‘Stripped of our Pensions’ demonstration for the 4th year running at Manchester Labour Party Conference, calling on Gordon Brown to show he has decent values and sort this issue out properly.
Press release announcing
‘Strippers’ demo in Manchester Announcement of ‘Stripped of our Pensions’ demonstration at Manchester Labour party conference and asking how we can expect Gordon Brown to be trusted to introduce a new constitution, when he has not upheld our old one.
Michael Eaglestone lost his pension
because he trusted the Government Explanation of how Government false assurances of pension protection and unfair rules of wind up have left Mr. Eaglestone – now 65 years old and suffering from cancer – without any pension after 34 years work and contributions in his ‘safe’ scheme.
Radio 4 ‘Today’ programme
– Mr. Purnell misleads listeners Ros critiques Pension Reform Minister, James Purnell’s interview on Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme, where the Minister tries to reassure listeners that the Government is dealing with the wind-up situation.
Q & A – how Government caused
the injustices of wind-up Brief question and answer crib to explain why Government is responsible for the injustices suffered by members of winding up pension schemes, as highlighted by the PASC and Parliamentary Ombudsman reports.
Why this scandal is worse than
Maxwell Note comparing the Government's treatment of the 32,000 Maxwell pensioners in 1992, with the treatment of the 100,000 or so pensioners from winding up schemes between 1997 and 2006. Their plight is far worse than the problems caused by Mr. Maxwell's plundering of his scheme's assets.
Money Marketing article on fight for
compensation Article published in Money Marketing magazine, on 2nd August 2006, highlighting the various pressures on Government to comply with the Parliamentary Ombudsman report and also the European Court ruling, calling for full compensation for those who have lost their pensions.
Press release welcoming the PASC
report Press release issued after release of the Public Administration Select Committee report, which is strongly critical of Government and calls for urgent compensation to be paid, including to those whose employers are still solvent.
Presentation to backbench MPs on
Government responsibility for wind-up losses Presentation handout given to MPs at a meeting of backbenchers to discuss the Government’s rejection of the Parliamentary Ombudsman report and explaining why this rejection is wrong.
Trust and pensions – MP briefing
on Parliamentary Ombudsman report Presentation given to a group of backbench MPs explaining the background to the pension losses on scheme wind-ups and the flaws in the Government’s rejection of the Ombudsman’s report.
Why John Hutton’s defence of his
rejection of Parliamentary Ombudsman report is
wrong Response to John Hutton’s attempts to justify his rejection of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report, explaining why the Secretary of State’s case does not hang together.
Critique of John Hutton’s
response to Ros’ open letter in Daily
Telegraph Ros critiques the fallacies in John Hutton’s reply to her Open Letter in the Telegraph. She explains the flaws in Mr. Hutton’s arguments and shows how the Government needs to rethink its stance.
Open Letter to John Hutton published in
Daily Telegraph – How do you sleep at
night? Open letter to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, pointing out the errors in his evidence to the Public Administration Select Committee and criticising the Government’s heartless and shameful treatment of the victims of pension scheme wind-ups.
Government bullying victims of pension
wind-ups Press Release highlighting the Government’s shameful attempts to frighten pension wind-up victims into dropping the Judicial Review and also trying to exclude tens of thousands of people from any successful outcome of the European court case.
How compensation can be funded - latest
suggestions Ros suggests various ways in which the Government could organise compensation for those who have suffered losses as a result of scheme wind-ups - the Government does not have to fund it all from taxpayers’ money.
Judicial Review of Government’s
unlawful and irrational rejection of Parliamentary
Ombudsman report Press Release announcing the launch of a Judicial Review against the Government claiming its rejection of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report is both illegal and irrational.
Claim submitted to High Court for
Judicial Review Document submitted to High Court outlining the case for Judicial Review of the Government’s unprecedented rejection of both the findings and recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report.
Financial Adviser comment –
scandalous attempts by Government to deny
occupational pension policy errors Article published in Financial Adviser giving criticising the Government’s attempts to squirm out of taking responsibility for occupational pensions policy errors, despite the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report showing its guilt in this affair.
Critique of Governments final response
to Parliamentary Ombudsman report Ros highlights why the full, final response to the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report is flawed, going through the full response and highlighting where the arguments are not correct.
Continued injustice of Financial
Assistance Scheme – even after extension Note explaining why the announced ‘extension’ of the Financial Assistance Scheme is little more than a public relations exercise, designed to buy backbench silence, rather than helping those who have lost their pensions.
Initial reaction to Government’s
final response to Parliamentary Ombudsman report Ros comments on the full, final response, presented in the House of Commons by John Hutton, outlining more details about the Government’s reasons for rejecting the Parliamentary Ombdusman’s report.
Evidence submitted to PASC inquiry Papers submitted by Ros to the Commons Public Administration Select Committee, ahead of her evidence to the inquiry.
Letter to Professional Pensions calling
on Government compensate victims of scheme
wind-ups Letter published in Professional Pensions magazine, calling on the Government to compensate victims of scheme wind-ups urgently.
Continued injustice of Financial
Assistance Scheme – even after extension Note explaining why the announced ‘extension’ of the Financial Assistance Scheme is little more than a public relations exercise, designed to buy backbench silence, rather than helping those who have lost their pensions.
Why the Financial Assistance Scheme is
so inadequate Ros explains the shortcomings of the Financial Assistance Scheme - even after the announcement of ‘extensions’ to the coverage.
Critique of John Hutton’s
evidence to PASC Ros highlights the factual errors and misleading statements made by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton, in his evidence before the Public Administration Select Committee.
Why extension to FAS is spin, not
reality Paper prepared for Parliamentary Work and Pensions Select Committee explaining the inadequacies of the announced extensions to the Financial Assistance Scheme.
LibDem MP briefing on Parliamentary
Ombudsman report Presentation given to LibDem MPs explaining the background to the Parliamentary Ombudsman report.
Press Release announcing Parliamentary
Ombudsman’s verdict Press Release welcoming the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report and hoping that Government will comply with the recommendations.
Appeal to EU Parliament Petitions
Committee Presentation given to Petitions Committee of European Parliament in Brussels, on behalf of Maurice Jones, who lost his entire company pension in 1997 when his company scheme started wind-up. The presentation explains how the UK Government has broken EU law and what has happened to Mr. Jones’ pension.
Critique of Government’s initial
reasons for rejection of Parliamentary Ombudsman
report Ros explains why the reasoning used by the Government for rejecting both the findings and recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report is flawed, and explains why the Government is, indeed, responsible for this injustice.
Press Release about Judicial Review and
European Challenges Press Release announcing that the Pensions Action Group will challenge the Government both in the UK and European Courts. The Govenrment faces a Judicial Review of its rejection of the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report and a challenge in the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament.
European Parliament – explanation
of case for Petitions Committee Ros’ comments on the European Parliament Petitions Committee case background, explaining why the UK Government’s description of pension protection is flawed.
Appeal to European Parliament Petitions
Committee to force Government compensation Ros accompanied Mr. Maurice Jones to the European Parliament Petitions Committee, in April 2005, to ask for their help in recovering the pension he lost when his company failed in 1997 and this is the briefing paper she prepared for his case.
Examples of how loss of final salary
pension on wind-up has devastated people’s
lives Case study examples of the devastating effect of losing a final salary pension, which had always been described as ‘safe’, ‘protected by law’ and ‘guaranteed’.
Daily Mail ‘Monday View’
column – Ministers’ great pensions
betrayal Article published by Daily Mail explaining how the Government’s rejection of the Parliamentary Ombudsman report has betrayed the nation and undermined pensions confidence still further.
House Magazine ‘Assurances that
final salary pensions will be protected by
legislation are threadbare – forked tongues on
funds’ Article published in the Commons ‘House Magazine’ explaining how, despite Government assurances to the contrary, final salary pensions were not properly protected by legislation and how the Government’s rejection of the Parliamentary Ombudsman report is unsustainable.
Pension wind-ups scandal worse than
Maxwell Professional Pensions piece published on 23rd March 2006, outlining Ros’ views of the Parliamentary Ombudsman report and Government’s rejection of it. Explains why this situation is worse than the Maxwell scandal.
85,000 broken promises - Plea in
Commons meeting ahead of Ombudsman report Speech given by Ros at meeting held in House of Commons ahead of release of Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report, calling on Gordon Brown to agree to compensate and rectify the broken promises made to at least 85,000 citizens who have been robbed of their pensions.
Press Release welcoming Parliamentary
Ombudsman report Press Release announcing Ros’ reaction to the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report and welcoming the findings and recommendations.
Selected quotes from Parliamentary
Ombudsman report Some of the important quotes which show clearly how the Government is guilty of misleading the public into believing their pensions would be safe in their employer's final salary scheme and that Government should compensate for this maladministration.
Summary of some of the main findings of
Parliamentary Ombudsman report Highlights of the evidence and findings of the Parliamentary Ombudsman report ‘Trusting in the pensions Promise’.
Timeline of events in wind-up
disaster A timeline of the events since the 1990’s which led to the injustices suffered by the 85,000 or more victims of pension scheme wind-ups, showing clearly how Government must bear the responsibility.
Money Marketing article –
restoring confidence in pensions Article printed in Money Marketing asking how Government can hope to restore confidence in pensions, if it ignores the Parliamentary Ombudsman report and refuses to acknowledge its mistakes in handling final salary pensions.
Evidence to Parliamentary Ombudsman
inquiry prepared on behalf of complainants Ros’ evidence submitted to Parliamentary Ombudsman inquiry on behalf of all those who have lost their pensions on scheme wind-up.
Paper presented on behalf of pension
wind-up victims at meeting with John Hutton Notes prepared for meeting with Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, when workers who have lost their pensions on scheme wind-up met him to explain how they were misled by the Government and could have protected their pensions if they had known the truth. Also criticising the FAS.
Plea to Gordon Brown to remember social
justice Article written for Birmingham Evening Post following Labour Party Conference, asking the chancellor to remember social justice for victims of pension scheme wind-ups.
Article for Engaged Investor on FAS
inadequacies Article published in 'Engaged Investor' explaining why Government announcements on the Financial Assistance Scheme do not remedy the injustices suffered by wind-up victims.
Response to Government consultation on
FAS regulations Ros's response to the DWP consultation paper on regulations for the Financial Assistance Scheme - explaining why it is hopelessly inadequate.
Compensation for wind-up victims, not
'Assistance' Presentation for Pensions Summit at House of Commons, 21st March 2005, outlining the need for Government to agree proper compensation for victims of scheme wind-ups
Press Release welcoming update on
Parliamentary Ombudsman investigation Press Release welcoming the update from the Parliamentary Ombudsman that the investigation into Government maladministration of occupational pensions is proceeding well and expecting the final report in July.
Pensions Week article on unfairness of
FAS announcements Article published in Pensions Week explaining why the Government proposed Financial Assistance Scheme is wholly inadequate and expressing the hope that the Parliamentary Ombudsman investigation will prove Government maladministration means the need for compensation, rather than assistance for wind-up victims.
Financial Adviser feature on Financial
Assistance Scheme Feature article published in Financial Adviser explaining why the Financial Assistance Scheme is inadequate and outlining hopes for the Parliamentary Ombudsman inquiry to rectify the injustices suffered by victims of pension scheme wind-ups.
FAS announcements need
clarification Description of DWP announcements on the Financial Assistance Scheme and explanation of the many issues still requiring clarification for victims.
The Times letter urging compensation
for wind-up victims Letter published in The Times, praising Patience Wheatcroft's sympathy for the plight of victims of pension scheme wind-ups and the urgency of Government compensation.
LIMERICK about FSA
'guarantees' Ros wrote a limerick to highlight the FAS double standards in trying to deny that its use of the word 'guarantee' in its public information description of final salary schemes could have misled anyone.
Press Release welcoming NAPF support
for improved FAS Press release welcoming NAPF's open letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, supporting Ros's calculations of inadequacy of the Financial Assistance Scheme and fears for the future of the Pension Protection Fund.
Article in The Times on Financial
Assistance Scheme empty promises Article published in the Times explaining why the Financial Assistance Scheme may sound good, but it is not able to deliver meaningful help to the majority of victims of pension wind-ups and calling for proper compensation to be paid.
Why winding-up schemes should not buy
bulk annuities Note prepared for DWP explaining why assets of occupational schemes in wind-up should not be used to buy annuities, but should be pooled, as will be the case for the PPF, to minimise costs of assistance and maximise potential pensions for victims.
Press Release welcoming launch of
Parliamentary Ombudsman investigation Press Release welcoming the launch of a formal investigation by the Parliamentary Ombudsman into Government maladministration of occupational pensions and claims for compensation by victims of occupational scheme wind-ups.
Press Release on FAS inadequacy Press release explaining why proposals for the Financial Assistance Scheme are inadequate and could help only a few hundred people, if annuities must be bought, rendering it a virtually empty gesture to rectify a huge social injustice.
Why the £400m Financial
Assistance Scheme is inadequate Note explaining why the Government's proposed £400m Financial Assistance Scheme is wholly inadequate and cannot rectify the injustices suffered by wind-up victims.
DWP figures for wind-up victims Press release discussing of figures released by the DWP, showing its estimates of numbers of people potentially eligible for the Financial Assistance Scheme.
Parliamentary Ombudsman submission -
Complaints of Maladministration Document prepared for Parliamentary Ombudsman, listing the detailed complaints of maladministration of occupational pensions by various Government departments. She is being asked to investigate these complaints, with a view to recommending compensation for the victims.
Guide to filling in Parliamentary
Ombudsman complaint form Guide to help members who have lost their pensions fill in the Parliamentary Ombudsman official complaint form. Instructions as to which sections to fill in, what evidence to submit and a copy of the form.
When the FSA says
‘guarantee’ it doesn’t mean a
guarantee Press release explaining that the FSA refuses to accept any responsibility for telling members of final salary schemes that their pensions were guaranteed, when in fact they weren’t. It criticises the double standards apparently being used by the Regulator.
When is a guarantee not a guarantee?
When the FSA says so. Paper explaining double standards of the FSA, when using word ‘guaranteed’ in its own literature, to describe final salary pensions which were not guaranteed at all.
Government failed to listen to
Actuaries' warnings, must now compensate Article published in ‘The Actuary’ magazine, entitled ‘The Truth about Pensions’ explaining how the Treasury failed to listen to the Actuaries’ warnings about pension scheme wind-ups in 2000 and why compensation from the Government is essential in order to restore confidence in pensions.
Press release discussing problems for
members of Turner and Newell pension scheme Press release discussing the problems for T & N pension scheme members and the inadequacy of the Government’s £400 million Financial Assistance Scheme.
Why Government should encourage schemes
in wind up not to buy annuities Note for DWP, explaining why Government should ask schemes in wind-up to delay buying annuities, in view of the lack of supply, poor rates and possibility of pooling all the assets to organise compensation more cheaply on an ongoing basis.
Letter explaining my role in the
campaign for compensation Letter published in Money Marketing magazine in June 2004, explaining why I believe that Government must compensate and my role in helping pro-bono, not as any kind or paid lobbyist.
Pensions and Compensation article Article published in Public Service Review: Finance, Summer 2004, arguing the case for compensation for those who have suffered the injustice of losing their company pension on scheme wind-up.
Comments on official figures estimating
numbers affected by scheme wind-ups Comments on the initial figures released by the DWP, estimating numbers affected by winding up pension schemes, who have lost most of their pensions.
How to introduce a Financial Assistance
Scheme Practical suggestions as to how to organise a compensation package for workers who lost their pensions on scheme wind-up. This could be a model for the Financial Assistance Scheme, if it has more money.
Article for PMI Magazine ‘Support
for Compensation’ Article for Pensions Management Institute magazine, which discusses why compensation should be paid and asking for support from the Pensions Industry for this principle, in order to restore some confidence in pensions.
Press Release Calling on Government to
Increase Assistance from £20m to
£75m Press release calling on Government to add to the £20m a year which they have so far agreed to pay to ‘assist’ members who have lost their employer pensions.
Press Release Calling for Parliamentary
Ombudsman to Investigate Treasury and FSA
Press release announcing that members of final salary schemes who have lost their pensions will ask their MP’s to request an investigation by the Parliamentary Ombudsman into claims of maladministration by the Treasury, FSA and DWP, who assured members that their pensions were guaranteed and safe and have not offered sufficient compensation to make up for their losses.
Important Q & A about
Compensation Note outlining how and why Government funded compensation should be organised.
Letters in Financial Times Regarding
FSA Calling Employer Pensions
‘Guaranteed’ Exchange of letters published in the FT on 15th May and 22nd May, regarding the Financial Services Authority’s attempts to justify wrongly telling members of employer schemes that their pensions were ‘guaranteed’, and failing to warn of the risks.
Revised Estimates of
Compensation Costs, April 2004
New estimates of costs of compensation for victims of pension scheme wind-ups, based on figures from independent trustees and small insured schemes.
Official Quotes
Showing How Members Were Misled
Examples of quotes from official documents which misled members into believing their pensions were safe.
Security of
Occupational Pensions – What’s Gone
Wrong? Presentation given at Pensions Management Institute Spring conference, 11th March 2004, discussing the case for compensation and asking PMI members to support this cause.
Press Release Calling for Compensation
and Highlighting Case Studies Press release ahead of Parliamentary debate on pensions, to call for the Government to compensate those who lost their pensions. This also includes case study examples of how the situation has affected the victims’ lives.
First Research
Estimates of Compensation September
2003 Original research to try to establish likely numbers of people affected by pension wind ups and potential maximum costs of compensation.
Pensions Summit
Presentation Outlining Compensation
Proposals Presentation given at the ‘Pensions Summit’ at House of Commons on 4th November 2003, explaining why and how Government should compensate members of employer final salary schemes who have lost their pensions on insolvency.
Victory for Employees of Maersk –
Wake up call to trustees Press release issued in reaction to the surprise decision by the Maersk parent company to agree to honour its pension commitments to scheme members in full, even though the law does not require this. This is a ‘wake up call’ to trustees and members to ensure they put proper pressure on other employers to do the same.
Compensation for Lost
Pensions - Labour Party Fringe
Event Presentation at Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth organised with Pensions Action Group to highlight and explain the problems of people who have lost their pensions when their employer became insolvent, and the case for Government to compensate them.
Support for Legal Action by Unions
Against Government Press Release issued on November 2nd 2003 to support union legal action against the Government, issuing a writ claiming compensation for ASW workers who have lost most of their pensions on the insolvency of their employer’.
Compensation is Urgent - Pensions
Week Article published in Pensions Week in November 2003 explaining the case for urgently agreeing compensation for workers who have lost their pensions in final salary schemes.
Response to
Patience Wheatcroft comments on compensation for
victims of Comments in response to a column by Patience Wheatcroft in The Times, in which she cast doubt on the merits of the case for compensation.
The Case for Government Compensation
for Insolvent Employer Pension
Victims |
