GREATER Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has pledged to “stick by” Waspi women campaigning against state pension injustice if he returns to the Commons.

Mr Burnham is the Labour frontrunner in the Makerfield by-election, to be held next week. If successful, he is expected to challenge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for his job.

He told a meeting in the constituency that he was “uncomfortable” with the way some politicians have promised support for the women born in the 1950s, who say they were not informed regarding changes to the state pension age, and then reneged.

The government has declined to do anything to right the wrong on the grounds of expense – it would cost more than £10 billion according to estimates – although Sir Keir pretended to offer support when in opposition.

Mr Burnham said: “I have long supported the campaign and I feel uncomfortable when politicians were all holding up their banner and then got into government and didn’t do anything.

“So I stick by the campaigns that I support. I stuck by the Hillsborough families and I will stick by the Waspi women because they deserve some recompense for the unfairness.”