4. Will the Counsel General provide an update on correspondence between the Welsh Government and the UK Government regarding the case of the Women Against State Pension Injustice campaign for 1950s-born women who have been denied their pensions? OQ56095

Absolutely. The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip last wrote to the UK Government in November. Their response defends the position to increase state pension age and highlights the judgments from the legal challenge in the High Court and the Court of Appeal, which supported the actions of the Department for Work and Pensions. But the Government continues to make the case on behalf of the women affected. 

I'm grateful to the Counsel General for his answer, and I know that the members of the Llanelli WASPI group and other WASPI groups across Mid and West Wales and across Wales will be grateful for the Welsh Government's continuing stance on this. I wonder if the Counsel General has any further information with regard to the timing of the investigation currently being undertaken by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman into potential maladministration. We're obviously all aware that that was delayed because of the legal cases, but, now those legal cases are resolved, I wonder if the Counsel General and Welsh Government would feel able to make some inquiries with the ombudsman to see by when they expect to report on the potential maladministration in this case. 

I thank the Member for that supplementary. I will make sure that the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip has heard that, because the substantive matter is obviously within her portfolio. But in relation to the proceedings insofar as they relate to the ombudsman itself, my understanding is that the investigation relates to a sample of six complaints about DWP communications. They have been on hold, as I understand it, as a consequence of COVID, but I will make sure that I pass on the question and the point the Member has made to my ministerial colleague who can make sure that we get the best possible indication of what the future process may look like and the time that may take. It's absolutely essential, as the Member's question implies, that the women affected get the clarity of the outcome of those proceedings at the earliest possible opportunity.