What's happened
Andy Burnham has ruled out financial compensation for Waspi women affected by the state pension age changes, but is open to other measures such as early concessionary travel. He is campaigning in Makerfield amid by-election pressure and faces scrutiny over past promises and Labour leadership ambitions.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- The headlines reflect a shift from private support for WASPI to public caution on costly compensation.
- Burnham’s stance aligns with fiscal realities while trying to preserve Labour’s solidarity with WASPI and northern voters.
- The issue highlights how pension reform promises are weaponised in by-elections, potentially shaping Labour’s national stance if Burnham pursues leadership.
- The policy choice could foreclose a major financial commitment, pushing parties to seek targeted, affordable concessions instead.
- Look for how this stance influences Labour’s northern base and future pension policy debates if Burnham wins or stays active in leadership contention.
How we got here
The Makerfield by-election has intensified debates over pensions policies after years of political pressure over the 1950s-born women affected by changes to the state pension age. Burnham, a Labour leadership hopeful, has previously backed compensation but now signals flexibility, exploring less costly gestures like concessionary travel as part of broader Labour strategy in northern constituencies.
Our analysis
The Guardian: Burnham’s stance on Waspi compensation; The Mirror: Burnham’s remarks at Makerfield hustings; Independent Business: Leadbeater on Brexit-era divisions and WASPI; The Telegraph/FT coverage not provided in sources.
Go deeper
- Will Burnham propose alternative Waspi support if elected?
- How will other parties respond to this shift on compensation?
- What other concessions might be offered to Waspi women in Greater Manchester?
More on these topics
-
Greater Manchester - City in England
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county and combined authority area in North West England, with a population of 2.8 million; the third largest in England after Greater London and the West Midlands.
-
Keir Starmer - Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom
Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
-
Andy Burnham - Mayor of Greater Manchester
Andrew Murray Burnham is a British Labour Party politician who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017. He attended Gordon Brown’s Cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 2007 to 2008 and served in the Cabinet as Culture Secretary f
-
Labour Party - Political party
The Labour Party is a centre-left political party in the United Kingdom that has been described as an alliance of social democrats, democratic socialists and trade unionists.
-
Nigel Farage - Member of the European Parliament
Nigel Paul Farage is a British politician. He has been leader of the Brexit Party since 2019, and served as Member of the European Parliament for South East England from 1999 until the United Kingdom's exit from the EU in 2020.
-
Parliamentary Ombudsman
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman comprises the offices of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and the Health Service Commissioner for England.
-
Brexit
Brexit is the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Following a UK-wide referendum in June 2016, in which 52% voted to leave and 48% voted to remain in the EU, the UK Government which was then led by Theresa May formally declared the c
-
Kim Leadbeater - Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom
Kim Michele Leadbeater MBE is a British Labour Party politician who has served as Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen since 2021.