Downing Street has responded to questions from Ayes To The Right about Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s reported promise to meet WASPI campaigners — but its statement did not say whether the meeting has taken place or when it might happen.
The Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign publicly challenged Burnham on 12 November 2026, saying representatives were still waiting 16 weeks after he promised to meet them. The campaign called on him to keep his word.
What WASPI says Burnham promised
WASPI says its chair Angela Madden and local campaigner Janet Fulster met Burnham during his Makerfield election campaign. The organisation recorded a meeting at the campaign launch on 22 May 2026. In its latest social media statement, the campaign said he had expressed support for recompense for affected women and promised a further meeting.
The campaign’s statement said: “He told them WASPI women deserved recompense and promised to meet us. 16 weeks later and we’re still waiting. Keep your word, Andy.” The 16-week interval is WASPI’s own description; the campaign launch meeting was recorded in May.
Ayes To The Right seeks clarification from Downing Street
Ayes To The Right contacted Downing Street to ask whether Burnham had made the commitment, whether a meeting had taken place or been arranged, and whether the Government’s position on compensation had changed.
Downing Street provided the following statement attributed to a Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson:
“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.”
The response also directed the publication to the Government’s formal response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s investigation. It did not address whether the Prime Minister had met the campaigners or offered a date.
Ayes To The Right sent a follow-up specifically asking whether the meeting had taken place or been scheduled. No further response had been received by the time of publication.
The dispute over State Pension age communications
WASPI campaigns on behalf of women affected by changes to the State Pension age, arguing that inadequate notice prevented some from making appropriate financial plans. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman found maladministration in the way changes were communicated.
The Government has accepted maladministration and apologised, but the campaign continues to seek financial redress. Acknowledging maladministration does not in itself amount to agreeing to a compensation scheme.
Pressure for a meeting
WASPI has continued to press the Prime Minister over its concerns. The campaign has also highlighted a cross-party letter from MPs seeking action on compensation, published in October 2026.
The outstanding question is separate from the Government’s formal compensation policy: whether Burnham will meet representatives following the commitment WASPI says he made.
What happens next?
As of publication, WASPI says the promised meeting has not happened, while Downing Street’s response to this publication has not confirmed or disputed that account. Ayes To The Right will update this report if the Prime Minister’s office provides further clarification.