Burnham rejects WASPI payout, proposes alternative aid

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has reversed his position on providing direct financial compensation to women affected by changes to the state pension age, clarifying his stance after comments made earlier this week. Burnham now accepts the government's final decision against a payout but has indicated he remains open to providing other forms of support.

The shift occurred following a hustings event in Makerfield on Wednesday, June 10, where Burnham, who is campaigning in a parliamentary by-election, expressed strong support for the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign. He stated he felt uncomfortable with politicians who had backed the campaign but failed to act upon entering government and said the women deserved some recompense for the unfairness. These remarks were widely interpreted as a potential commitment to revisit compensation if he attained higher office.

However, by Thursday, June 11, a spokesperson for the mayor issued a clarifying statement. The spokesperson said Burnham accepts the final decision has been made in relation to financial compensation. Instead, he pointed to his record in Greater Manchester of supporting affected women with...