7 February 2006
Mike Penning continues his fight for Dexion workers to receive compensation from the Financial Assistance Scheme.

During Questions to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in the House of Commons yesterday, Mike Penning called for the Minister to announce when Dexion workers will receive compensation payouts.

Mike Penning has been campaigning with Dexion pensioners for fair payouts through the Government’s Financial Assistance Scheme after the Dexion pensions scheme collapsed.

In reply, the Minister for Pension Reform, Stephen Timms, said that the Government is waiting for information from the trustees, but that in any case only “quite a small number of people are entitled to interim payments”. He added: “but I hope that there will not be too long a delay for everyone else.”

After the debate, Mike Penning said:
“I am angry and disappointed with this answer. I don’t understand why the Minister says only ‘a small number’ of people are entitled to interim payments. There are a lot of people effected by the Dexion pension disaster and every day that goes by adds to their suffering. As for his statement ‘I hope that there will not be too long a delay for everyone else’, it is up to him to ensure that there is not a long delay!”

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