Claimants vindicated again

Pensioners battling the Government over lost investments have won the latest round in their attempts to claim back their money.

The Court of Appeal has upheld the verdict that official leaflets helped to promote the mistaken belief among the 125,000 claimants that their money would be safe in their companies' occupational pension schemes. These were later closed due to insolvency.

The parliamentary ombudsman found in favour of the claimants two years ago, and recommended that compensation be paid. They are still waiting for the money amid a lengthy legal process.

The Appeals Court dismissed the Government's latest appeal against the ombudsman's decision as "irrational". But after exhausting all other avenues, the Government may yet submit a further appeal to the House of Lords.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said: "We will want to consider this complex and lengthy judgment in more detail before deciding whether to pursue an appeal."

The DWP acknowledges that the finding of maladministration was upheld, but has argued that this was not the cause of the losses incurred.