Andy Burnham defends axing triple lock with direct message to GB News viewers worried about pensions

Andy Burnham has defended his decision to reform the triple lock on state pensions with a direct message to GB News viewers concerned about their pensions and the cost of social care.

The Prime Minister, who confirmed Labour will include changing the pension protection scheme in its next manifesto, was challenged directly by GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope over concerns the move could leave pensioners worse off.

The triple lock currently guarantees that the state pension rises each year by whichever is highest of average earnings growth, inflation or 2.5 per cent.

The cost of the policy has risen significantly beyond its original expectations, with the Office for Budget Responsibility estimating the triple lock will add £15.5billion a year to state pension spending by 2029-30 — around three times the £5.2billion it originally expected it to cost.

Mr Burnham’s plans would move away from that system from April 2030, meaning the state pension would continue to rise by at least inflation or 2.5 per cent, while retaining a new link to earnings over time.

The Government estimates the adjusted system would reduce state pension spending by £15billion a year by the end of the 2030s, rising to £50billion a year by 2050.

However, the policy has drawn comparisons with Labour’s decision to restrict Winter Fuel Payments, which became a major political controversy after millions of pensioners lost their entitlement.

Speaking to the People's Channel at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Mr Burnham said: “This is nothing like the winter fuel debate. Nothing like it at all.

“So the triple lock has taken the basic state pension up, and that’s a really good thing. And by the end of this decade, it will be at record levels.

“And it will carry on going up under the plan that I mentioned yesterday. But it won’t go up as sharply as it would have done if the original triple lock had been in place.”

Turning his attention directly to GB News viewers, the Prime Minister added: “I think your viewers, to be honest, I think I know them, and maybe they don’t always agree with everything I say.

“But they want to see the price of electricity come down, and I’m taking VAT off electricity tomorrow.

“They want to see a water system that works in the public interest.

“I think many of your viewers think the privatisation and break-up of all of those things was actually a mistake in the 80s and 90s.”

Mr Burnham insisted pensioners would ultimately receive a “better deal” because money released by moving away from the triple lock would help fund a new National Care Service.

“The pension will still go up, linked to prices and earnings over the long run,” he told the People's Channel.

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“So it will still go up, and it will still keep pace. The difference is, by moving away from the original triple lock, I can give pensioners a better deal.

“And you’ll ask me, well, how in those circumstances? Because the money that it does release pays for a national care service — high-quality, person-centred, free personal care in people’s homes.

“Currently, people are paying care charges from their pension, and that is highly unfair to those pensioners.

“It’s a much better deal to have a pension that keeps pace with prices, and also a personal care system that gives you peace of mind in later life.”

Labour's social care pledge has taken on a deeply personal significance for Mr Burnham following the death of his father Roy earlier this month after he suffered from Alzheimer’s and lived in a care home.

The Prime Minister became emotional during his conference speech as he spoke about his father and linked his experience to his determination to reform social care, pledging to act “in memory of my dad”.

Polling conducted by YouGov after Mr Burnham announced the policy found 48 per cent of Britons support changing the triple lock to help fund a National Care Service, compared with 28 per cent who oppose it.

However, the proposal prompted a furious reaction from trade union chiefs and figures on the Labour left.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said changing the triple lock would be “morally wrong”.

She argued pensioners receiving around £12,500 a year should not lose their security in order to fund social care and instead called for a tax on wealth.

Former Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell also urged Mr Burnham to consider a wealth tax

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage responded to the announcement by accusing Mr Burnham of targeting pensioners.

He said: "If he is so desperate to pick a fight with pensioners, he should get on with it, call a general election now, and let the public decide."

Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch attacked Mr Burnham’s wider conference programme, arguing his proposed change to the triple lock would not generate enough savings to fund the planned care system and claiming it would ultimately mean higher taxes.

Mr Burnham’s plans will not change the triple lock during the current Parliament, with the existing system remaining in place until April 2030.

The Government says the revised system will continue to protect pensioners against inflation while maintaining the pension’s value relative to earnings over time, with the resulting savings used to build up the NCS.

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