Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham has agreed to meet with Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaigners to discuss potential redress options for millions of women affected by the state pension age rise, campaigners told the Mirror. The meeting offers new hope for 1950s-born women who were left without adequate notification of changes that pushed their pension age from 60 to 65.
Burnham's Long-Standing Support
Angela Madden, chair of WASPI, confirmed that positive talks have already taken place with Burnham's team, with further discussions planned after he takes office on Monday. During the Makerfield by-election last month, Burnham reiterated his support for the campaign, stating he was uncomfortable with how politicians had treated WASPI women. Madden said: “WASPI met with Andy Burnham during the Makerfield by-election, where he confirmed his long-standing support for the campaign, recognising the injustice many 1950s-born women have suffered.”
Previous Government Inaction
Under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Labour refused to implement a compensation package recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) in 2024. The PHSO called for urgent compensation, suggesting payouts of £1,000 to £2,950 for over 3.5 million women. However, Starmer argued that 90% of affected women were aware of the changes and that compensation would cost taxpayers tens of billions of pounds. In December 2024, he told the Commons: “The research is clear that 90% of those impacted did know about the change. In those circumstances the taxpayers simply can't afford the burden of tens of billions of pounds of compensation.”
Potential Redress Models
Burnham's team has indicated he will not pursue a full financial compensation scheme but is open to alternative measures, such as concessionary bus and rail travel, similar to a scheme he introduced as Mayor of Greater Manchester. A campaign source said: “Andy has always recognised the unfair way in which state pension equalisation was introduced. As Mayor of Greater Manchester, he supported WASPI women in the city-region with early access to concessionary travel, providing some recompense to them within affordability limits. 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.”
Background of the Pension Age Change
The state pension age for women rose gradually from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and November 2018, then to 66 in October 2020, with a further rise to 67 scheduled by 2028. Failure to properly notify affected women left many unable to plan financially, with extreme cases plunging women into poverty after they left jobs unaware of the changes. WASPI has applied for a High Court judicial review over the government's refusal to award compensation, but campaigners are hopeful that Burnham’s administration will take a fresh look at their demands.
WASPI's Willingness to Engage
Madden emphasized that WASPI remains open to discussing a fair route to compensation with any politician. She stated: “The Parliamentary Ombudsman's findings were six years in the making, and they deserve exactly this kind of serious engagement - something WASPI women have not received from successive governments. WASPI has always been willing to discuss a fair route to compensation, working with any politician, from any party, who wants to work with us to bring this long-running injustice to an end.”
