Andy Burnham faces new demand over compensation for WASPI women

Andy Burnham faces new demand over compensation for WASPI women A cross-party group of MPs have written to the Prime Minister calling for compensation 'as soon as possible'. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Katie Harris , Senior Political Correspondent 00:01, Mon, Oct 12, 2026 Andy Burnham is facing calls to compensate WASPI women (Image: Getty) Andy Burnham is facing fresh demands from cross-party MPs to compensate women affected by an increase in the state pension age “as soon as possible”. MPs from 10 parties have sent a letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to set out plans for payouts for women born in the 1950s. The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign group argues they were negatively affected by the way changes to the state pension were communicated. WASPI chair Angela Madden said: “Andy met us during the Makerfield by-election and committed to sitting down with WASPI to discuss fair redress. We are confident he will make good on this commitment. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT “Hundreds of MPs are backing the campaign for compensation and the public clearly want to see this resolved too. WASPI has always said we are ready to work pragmatically with the Government on a solution that is fair to WASPI women and the taxpayer. We now need the Prime Minister to sit down with us and turn those words into action.” Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . The WASPI campaign group is calling for compensation (Image: Getty) Andy Burnham lets slip huge hint over early general election The letter was led by Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey, who is co-chair of the State Pension Inequality for Women All-Party Parliamentary Group, and veteran Tory MP Sir John Hayes. Other signatories include Lib Dem Work and Pensions spokesperson Steve Darling, alongside the Westminster leaders of the SNP , DUP, Green Party, SDLP, Your Party, Alliance and UUP. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Ms Long-Bailey said: "WASPI women have waited for far too long for justice, and this issue is not going away. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "With politicians from all corners of the political spectrum coming together on this issue, the message is clear: 1950s-born women deserve a fair outcome. "The Prime Minister has stood with these women for many years. His commitment to meet campaigners is very welcome and I hope it marks the beginning of a route towards the redress they deserve." Mr Darling added: "For too long, successive governments have denied these women the justice the Parliamentary Ombudsman concluded they are due. "The Prime Minister's commitment to sit down with campaigners to discuss redress is a welcome step, but warm words are not enough. "He must now set out plans for compensation this autumn and finally bring this long-running injustice to an end." When he was Greater Manchester Mayor, Mr Burnham said the Government’s decision to reject compensation for women impacted by changes to the state pension age was a "clear injustice". But shortly before entering 10 Downing Street, he ruled out payouts for those affected, which would cost billions of pounds. It comes after polling by Stack Data Strategy of more than 10,000 people shows almost half - 47% - support compensation, compared to just 13% who do not. A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “The Secretary of State set out the Government’s position in his oral statement to Parliament, including acceptance of maladministration and apology to the women affected. “Our focus now is on delivering an action plan to implement lessons learned in how DWP communicates State Pension matters going forward." Comment by WASPI chair Angela Madden When I met Andy Burnham during the Makerfield by-election, he did not just offer sympathy. He looked me in the eye and promised to sit down to discuss fair redress for WASPI women. Four months later, the Prime Minister no doubt has a long list of things he wants to do, but ending the long-running injustice for 1950s-born women is something he has backed for more than a decade. Today, senior MPs from 10 different parties have written to the Prime Minister urging him to compensate these women without delay. It is rare to see Labour, Tory, Lib Dem and Green politicians all signing the same letter. The fact they have done so tells you how strongly Parliament feels. The public feel it too. New research of more than 10,000 voters shows that supporters of compensation at some level outnumber opponents by almost four to one. After a six-year investigation, the Parliamentary Ombudsman found that 1950s-born women suffered injustice because of the Government’s failure to tell them their State Pension age was increasing and said compensation should be paid. That was two and a half years ago. Women who planned their retirements in good faith are still waiting, and too many have died without ever seeing justice. We have always said we want to work pragmatically with ministers to find a solution that is fair to both affected women and the taxpayer. Andy Burnham has stood by us for years. Few Prime Ministers get such a clear opportunity to right a wrong like this, with the backing of hundreds of MPs and the country. So, our message to him is simple: meet us, and let’s get this done together. Andy Burnham WASPI Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments