Pensioners could be prepared to give up the triple lock if they know their money is being directed towards social care rather than to plug a "black hole" in government spending, Angela Rayner has suggested.
The senior Cabinet minister praised Prime Minister Andy Burnham for his willingness to put his political reputation on the line to fix a social care system in England that leaves people facing a "lottery" in their final years.
Triple lock speculation
There is widespread speculation that Mr Burnham has his sights set on changes to the triple lock, which guarantees the state pension rises in line with inflation, earnings or 2.5%, whichever is highest, as a means of funding an NHS-style social care service in England.
Housing Secretary Ms Rayner said Mr Burnham was prepared to be "brave" in order to overhaul a system that left people with conditions such as dementia at risk of losing their home, while those with cancer or other illnesses receive free NHS treatment.
Political sensitivity
However, changing the triple lock has long been considered a political no-go area due to the risk of alienating pensioners at the ballot box, despite warnings from economists that it is unsustainable given Britain's ageing population.
Speaking on Sky's Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Ms Rayner suggested that older people could be more understanding if they were told where the money would be redirected.
