The WASPI campaign has formally called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to meet with its representatives, following his decision to rule out £2,950 compensation payments for the 3.5 million women affected by changes to the state pension age. Angela Madden, chair of the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign, has written to the new Prime Minister urging him to sit down with campaigners to discuss what she describes as “fair redress”.
Prime Minister under pressure from WASPI campaign
The call comes after Mr Burnham, who previously served as Mayor of Greater Manchester, confirmed that the government would not be making the payouts that had been recommended by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in 2024. The Ombudsman had found that the Department for Work and Pensions had failed to adequately notify women born in the 1950s about changes to their state pension age, leading to financial hardship for millions.
Despite initially rejecting compensation in the wake of the 2024 Ombudsman report, the Labour government revisited its position last year after new information emerged. However, after a second review, the government again ruled out payouts, a decision that has now been reaffirmed by Mr Burnham since taking office.
WASPI chair demands meeting with Burnham
Angela Madden expressed disappointment at the decision but stressed that the campaign remains pragmatic and determined to find a solution. She highlighted that Mr Burnham had given personal assurances during the Makerfield by-election that he was committed to addressing the injustice.
“We were grateful to receive personal assurances from Andy during the Makerfield by-election that addressing this injustice was something he was committed to carrying out,” Madden said. “While recognising the new Prime Minister has a long list of things to fix, we are now asking him, alongside the Chancellor, to make good on that promise, and to sit down with Waspi to determine what redress for 1950s-born women looks like.”
Campaigners remain determined to secure justice
The WASPI campaign has been running for years, with an estimated 3.5 million women affected by the acceleration of the state pension age from 60 to 66. Many of these women have faced significant financial losses, and the campaign has consistently argued that they were not given sufficient notice of the changes.
Madden added: “For far too long, Waspi women have been let down by governments of all colours and are understandably desperate to see this long-running injustice put right. Waspi, and millions of others, are hoping Andy can turn this around.”
The letter from the campaign stresses that members remain “absolutely determined” to win justice and calls on the Prime Minister to engage in direct talks.
Burnham's previous support for WASPI campaign
Mr Burnham has previously voiced strong support for the WASPI campaign. Before succeeding Sir Keir Starmer, he said: “I have long supported the campaign. And I feel uncomfortable when politicians were all holding up that sort of banner and then it got into government and didn’t do anything.” He went on to say: “So I stick by the campaigns that I support. I stuck by the Hillsborough families. I’ll stick by the Waspi women because they deserve some recompense for the unfairness.”
These comments have now come under scrutiny, as campaigners argue that his recent decision contradicts his earlier promises. The WASPI campaign is hoping that a face-to-face meeting with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor could still lead to a resolution that provides some form of compensation for the affected women.
What happens next for WASPI women?
The government has not yet responded publicly to the latest request for a meeting. However, the campaign is expected to continue its pressure, with potential legal challenges and further public demonstrations being considered.
The issue remains a significant political challenge for the new Prime Minister, who has pledged to address injustices but must also balance the financial implications of any payout. With the cost of living crisis and pressures on public finances, the decision on whether to provide compensation will be closely watched by both campaigners and the wider public.
