Andy Burnham has dramatically reversed his position on compensation for WASPI women, aligning himself with the government's refusal to pay. The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester had previously voiced strong support for the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign, calling for financial recompense for those affected by changes to the state pension age.
Burnham's Initial Support
During a hustings event ahead of the Makerfield by-election, Burnham told activists he would “stick by the WASPI women because they deserve some recompense for the unfairness.” This statement appeared to throw his weight behind calls for compensation from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The U-Turn
However, Burnham has now performed a significant U-turn, bringing his stance in line with the current government, which has ruled out compensating those impacted. A spokesman for Burnham told the Financial Times that “he accepts the final decision has been made in relation to financial compensation but has indicated an openness to considering similar schemes on the Greater Manchester model.”
Labour MPs quoted in the Financial Times accused the Manchester mayor of having “lost the plot again” and labelled his overture to WASPI women as “pathetic.”
Background and Context
Labour has refused to pay compensation over fears the bill could reach up to £10.5 billion. A 2024 report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman called for payments between £1,000 and £2,950 for every person affected. Following last month’s election results, Angela Madden, chairman of the WASPI group, said the government now had a “clear choice” to listen and compensate fairly “or face the consequence at the next general election.”
In 2022, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer signed a pledge calling for “fair and fast” compensation for WASPI women, but five months after entering power, he deemed the group’s demands unaffordable. Burnham, who hopes to succeed Starmer as Prime Minister, has now aligned his position with the party leadership.
