Graham has stepped up his campaign for improvements to the Civil Service Pension Scheme after constituents across Beverley and Holderness turned to him for help getting pensions they are owed.
Graham used a Westminster Hall debate to highlight the experiences of Angela from Burstwick, Sally from Beverley and John from Withernsea, who have given more than 100 years of public service between them.
All three have faced serious problems getting their Civil Service pensions, including months without pension income, lost documents and conflicting information from Capita.
Angela gave 37 years to the Civil Service, most recently at His Majesty’s Land Registry. She retired in May but, four months later, had received neither a pension quotation nor a payment. She has been living off her savings and struggling to meet her mortgage.
Sally has spent nearly a year trying to retire after almost 40 years of service. Capita wrongly closed her case as a duplicate, lost documents sent by her employer and gave her conflicting retirement dates.
John retired in April after 30 years as a prison officer at HMP Hull and HMP Full Sutton. Five months later, he had received neither a pension quotation nor any pension income, despite his former employer sending Capita the same information three times.
Graham told the debate: “That is three lives and more than 100 years of service, yet none of them can get what they are owed.”
He challenged the Government over the decision to introduce the new system despite concerns about its readiness, asking the Minister: “Ministers knew that the IT was not ready, but it went live anyway. Can the Minister explain why that decision was made?”
Graham has now joined other MPs in writing to Richard Holroyd, Chief Executive of Capita Public Services Division, calling for improvements to the way pension cases are handled.
Graham and his team meet representatives from Capita and the Cabinet Office every three weeks to pursue individual cases. The MPs’ letter calls for clearer explanations in casework updates, better information for MPs pursuing cases on behalf of constituents and greater capacity at Capita’s sessions with MPs.
The Government has acknowledged the seriousness of the problems. The Minister responsible for the Civil Service Pension Scheme has described Capita’s performance as “wholly unacceptable” and recognised the “profound human cost” of the delays.
Graham said: “These cases came to me because people in Beverley and Holderness had nowhere else to turn. My job is to take up their case and do everything I can to get it sorted.
“Angela, Sally and John have given more than 100 years of public service between them. They should not have to fight to receive pensions they have earned.
“I have raised their experiences directly with the Government and I am joining colleagues in pressing Capita for improvements. I will keep pursuing these individual cases as well.
“People should receive the pension they are entitled to, when they need it, and get a clear answer when something goes wrong.
“If you live in Beverley and Holderness and you’re having problems with your Civil Service pension, please get in touch with me. I may be able to help.”
His contribution in full was:
Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con):
“Thank you, Dame Siobhain, and my apologies to the Minister, who was indeed here on time. I have written her a note to apologise. I am aware of at least 10 people in Beverley and Holderness who are still waiting to receive what is rightfully theirs, as colleagues across the Chamber have so powerfully expressed.
“Angela from Burstwick gave 37 years to the civil service, most recently at His Majesty’s Land Registry. She retired in May and, four months on, has received neither a quotation nor a payment. She is now living off her savings and struggling to meet her mortgage.
“Sally from Beverley has spent nearly a year trying to retire, after almost 40 years of service. Capita wrongly closed her case as a duplicate, lost the documents sent by the company’s HR team and gave her conflicting retirement dates. In August, it admitted that its own notes on her case did not add up.
“This case will resonate powerfully with the Minister. John from Withernsea retired in April 2026 after 30 years as, like the Minister, a prison officer, in his case, at HMP Hull and HMP Full Sutton. Five months on, he has received neither a pension quote nor a penny of income, despite his former employer sending Capita the same information three times.
“That is three lives and more than 100 years of service, yet none of them can get what they are owed. Ministers knew that the IT was not ready, but it went live anyway. Can the Minister explain why that decision was made?”
Graham has also signed a letter organised by Martin Wrigley MP to Richard Holroyd, Chief Executive of Capita Public Services Division. The letter calls for greater clarity about terminology used in constituent casework updates, a review of the information provided to MPs when they seek updates on cases, and increased capacity at Capita’s drop-in sessions with MPs.
Graham meets representatives from Capita and the Cabinet Office every three weeks to pursue outstanding constituency cases.
Anyone in Beverley and Holderness experiencing problems with their Civil Service pension can contact Graham for help with their case.
