Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, joined hundreds of protesters in Parliament Square to condemn the Government’s refusal to accept the conclusions of the Parliamentary Ombudsman that the Government had provided people with “inaccurate, incomplete, unclear and inconsistent advice” about the security of their pensions.
Speaking after the rally Christopher Fraser said, “Thousands of people have lost their pension funds as a result of advice received from the Government, which they understandably trusted. The Parliamentary Ombudsman has concluded that the Government was at fault and should compensate the victims. However, the Government rejected the Ombudsman’s report, and that of the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee, out of hand.
“Those affected have been forced to take legal action to get compensation - apparently despite Government threats that if they lose it will bankrupt the claimants by pursuing them for its costs, which could be in excess of £125,000.
“Although the matter is now in the hands of the Courts, I am appalled by the way in which the Government has denied culpability, has undermined the credibility of the Ombudsman and caused anguish and hardship to so many. I wish the Pension Action Group well and very much hope that the Court delivers the right outcome for all who have been affected.” |