John Hughie
The UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has quietly slashed its plan to fix a long‑standing underpayment of Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) credits for mothers.
Once aiming to correct up to £1 billion in pension errors, the DWP now expects to spend just £29.8 million, leaving over 100,000 women without the full pensions they deserve.
This move draws criticism over fairness, transparency, and the future of state pension corrections.
Key Figures and Facts
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Initial pension correction estimate | £1.2 billion |
| New expected correction budget | £29.8 million |
| Paid out so far | £104 million |
| Number of corrected pensions | 12,379 |
| Estimated mothers potentially affected | 100,000+ |
| Estimated take‑up of claims | Dropped from 90% to just 8% |
| Period affected by missing HRP | 1978–2010 |
| How DWP tracked claimants | 370,000 HMRC letters issued, low online uptake |
What Is Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP)?
HRP credits were created to reduce the number of qualifying years required for a full state pension, benefiting parents who took time off work to raise children.
Introduced for child benefit claimants between 6 April 1978 and 5 April 2010, HRP was automatically granted until systemic failures prevented proper recording.
The result? Many mothers, especially those who claimed before 2000, had incomplete National Insurance (NI) records, which drastically reduced their pensions.
Why the Reversal?
The DWP’s 2024–25 annual report revealed a steep decline in its ability to locate affected individuals. Despite sending out 370,000 letters (257,000 to over-pension-age recipients), only 12,379 people responded, receiving an average arrears payment of £8,377.
With only an 8% claimant take‑up, the DWP concluded that continuing would be inefficient, prompting the massive £1 billion budget cut.
Why This Matters
- Financial impact: Many mothers are losing thousands of pounds annually due to incomplete NI records.
- Gender equality: This predominantly affects women who paused their careers for caregiving, a demographic injustice.
- Trust in government: The reversal raises questions about DWP’s commitment to correction and transparency.
Expert Reactions
Steve Webb (LCP), former pensions minister, described the move as:
“A hammer blow to over 100,000 mothers … Government has all but given up on these mothers—unacceptable.”
Other experts argue that the system needs simpler offline application options and direct outreach, rather than relying on online tools that many affected women struggle to use.
What You Should Do If You’re Affected
- Check your NI record on Gov.uk.
- Look for missing HRP years, especially if you claimed child benefit between 1978 and 2010.
- Call the National Insurance Helpline (0300 200 3500) to pursue corrections.
- Spread awareness—other affected women may not realise they’re owed money.
The DWP’s decision to lower £1 billion in pension correction money to £29.8 million is a stunning turnaround that will result in thousands of mothers receiving permanently reduced pensions.
These women deserve justice, and attaining it requires scrutinizing documents, making claims, and advocating for more effective outreach. If you or someone you know meets the qualifications, now is the time to act.
FAQs
Who qualifies for HRP pension corrections?
Anyone who claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010 and paused their career for family reasons may be eligible, especially if their NI record is missing credits.
How much money might I receive?
So far, each claimant has averaged approximately £8,377 in arrears, depending on the number of years of missed payments.
Can I still claim if DWP reduced its budget?
Yes. The funding cut affects DWP’s outreach, not your legal entitlement. You can still claim via the NI Helpline or the Gov.uk portal.
