Andy Burnham has ruled out paying compensation to the Waspi women who claim they lost out due to changes to the state pension age, but said he is open to providing other benefits such as subsidised transport. The Labour leadership hopeful had previously indicated support for compensating the 3.6 million affected women, but withdrew after backlash over the potential multibillion-pound cost.
A spokeswoman for the Greater Manchester mayor clarified that Burnham considers the compensation case closed, following the government's rejection of a 2024 ombudsman ruling that recommended payouts. He is now exploring schemes similar to Greater Manchester's early access to concessionary travel for Waspi women within affordability limits.
Burnham faced criticism after it emerged he told a Makerfield byelection hustings he would “stick by the Waspi women because they deserve some recompense for the unfairness.” But his team later stressed he accepts the final decision against financial compensation. The government has argued that a flat-rate scheme would cost up to £10.3bn and would not be fair, as most women were aware of the changes.
Campaigners say many women were left with unaffordable retirement plans after the coalition government accelerated the pension age rise from 60 to 66, with some not receiving adequate notification. Burnham, attempting to return to Westminster and eyeing No 10, criticised the government for reneging on promises but stopped short of backing cash payments.
