Work and Pensions Committee (WPC) chair, Stephen Timms, has written to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to seek updates on the work being done to review guaranteed minimum pension (GMP) communications.

The DWP previously published a GMP factsheet in response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman finding that it failed to make external communications about GMPs clear.

Whilst the factsheet underwent user testing and a survey before being published in August, the DWP also confirmed that it would also be formally reviewed after six months.

Ahead of this review, Timms' letter has outlined specific areas that the committee would like to see covered by the government.

In particular, Timms queried what steps have been taken to promote the factsheet and how effective this has been, and how many people have contacted DWP as a result of the factsheet.

He also inquired as to whether the department has consulted the complainants whose cases were upheld by PHSO, and others who have been negatively affected, to hear their feedback about the factsheet

In addition to this, Timms requested an update on how many people have applied for compensation, and whether DWP considers that the factsheet adequately explains to people “what to do next if they think they have been negatively affected”, as required by PHSO.

The letter requested a reply from the DWP on the issues by 13 January 2022.

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