Andy Burnham has agreed to meet with campaigners from the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) group to address the issues faced by women born in the 1950s due to changes in the state pension age. The upcoming Prime Minister, set to assume office on Monday, had previously expressed his commitment to supporting these women who were let down by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when the pension age was raised. Despite the Labour party, under Keir Starmer, declining to implement a compensation package recommended by an independent ombudsman in 2024, Burnham has shown his solidarity with the WASPI cause.
Angela Madden, the chair of WASPI, reported that productive discussions have taken place with Burnham’s team, with further talks scheduled once he takes office. Madden highlighted Burnham’s enduring support for the campaign and acknowledged the injustices faced by many women born in the 1950s. WASPI has been open to exploring fair compensation solutions in collaboration with politicians across party lines to rectify the longstanding inequalities faced by affected women.
Campaigners anticipate that Burnham will honor his commitment to engaging in dialogue regarding redress for the affected women. His team clarified that while he does not intend to allocate substantial funds for compensation, he is considering alternative measures like providing concessionary travel benefits, a scheme he previously implemented in Greater Manchester during his tenure as Mayor. Burnham has acknowledged the unjust implementation of state pension equalization and expressed willingness to explore similar initiatives based on the Greater Manchester model, despite the final decision ruling out financial compensation.
The failure to adequately inform women of the changes in the state pension age, resulting in unforeseen financial challenges and, in some cases, leading to poverty, underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. While in opposition, key figures in the Labour party, including Starmer, voiced support for the campaign but later opted against compensation, citing concerns over public expenditure. The Prime Minister emphasized that a significant portion of affected women were aware of the pension age adjustments, making extensive compensation financially unfeasible, albeit understanding the grievances expressed.
The WASPI campaign has pursued a High Court judicial review following the government’s refusal to provide compensation, expressing optimism that a potential Labour government may reconsider their demands. The gradual increase in the State Pension age for women from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and November 2018, followed by subsequent increments to 66 in October 2020 and a projected rise to 67 by 2028, highlights the evolving landscape of pension regulations impacting women born in the 1950s.
