Andy Burnham backtracks on support for Waspi women compensation after just 24 hours

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham appears to have backtracked on his apparent commitment to deliver compensation for 3.8 million women impacted by historic state pension changes.

Mr Burnham, who is currently campaigning to be the Labour MP in the Makerfield by-election, signaled his support for the Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign.

Campaigners have long lobbied consecutive Governments for payouts, claiming to have been financially disenfranchised as a result of state pension age equalisation.

In 2024, the Parliament and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) determined there was "maladministration" in the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) communication of the changes.

The ombudsman also stated that Waspi women could be entitled to compensation, but it was the responsibility of MPs to vote and decide on such a package.

While Labour has refused to offer compensation to those affected since returning to power despite the party's support for the cause in opposition, DWP minister Pat McFadden indicated the Government is currently reviewing the case in response to new evidence.

Earlier this week, Mr Burnham expressed discomfort with politicians who champion campaign groups while in opposition before deserting them upon entering Government.

He said: "So I stick by campaigners that I support. I stuck by the Hillsborough families, I'll stick by the Waspi women because they deserve some recompense for the unfairness."

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The intervention arrives against a backdrop of mounting speculation regarding a potential leadership challenge from Mr Burnham within the Labour Party.

Despite this, a spokesperson for the mayor stated that Mr Burnham accepts that the matter of national financial compensation has been settled and will not advocate for such measures.

They said: "Andy has always recognised the unfair way in which state pension equalisation was introduced."

The spokesperson added that Mr Burnham "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".

As mayor, Mr Burnham previously offered WASPI women in the city-region early access to concessionary travel as a form of support within budgetary constraints.

Waspi chair Angela Madden said: "Andy Burnham has supported WASPI women for many years. Under successive governments, WASPI has not been afforded a genuine opportunity to explore what a compensation scheme that is both sensitive to the experiences of WASPI women and the pressures on the public purse would look like.

"Should Andy return to Westminster, we look forward to meeting with him again to turn his support into action.

"This will be an opportunity to review all the evidence contained within the Parliamentary Ombudsman's report, and to discuss what a fair outcome would look like."