Andy Burnham was directly challenged over his plans for pensioners during an interview on Good Morning Britain, following his first Labour conference speech as prime minister. Susanna Reid asked why he is “picking on pensioners” after he confirmed plans to scrap the pensions triple lock from 2030 to help fund a new free social care service.
During the interview, Reid highlighted the concerns of 82-year-old Hilary, who they had spoken to ahead of the broadcast. Hilary raised concerns about the rising cost of living, revealing that her energy bill is set to increase by £57 a month.
Pensioner’s energy bill concerns
“If I have to, I can have egg on toast and a cup of tea and I'll survive. But I can't survive without my heating,” Hilary told Good Morning Britain.
“What do you say to people like Hilary who are facing an unaffordable rise in their energy bills, other than I can't fix it,” Reid asked.
“I don't want to say that to her. That would be defeatist and wrong from somebody in my position,” the prime minister responded.
Triple lock change questioned
The presenter then said: “You have told her that the way her state pension is calculated is changing. You're changing from the triple lock to a double lock. Will she be worse off?”
The ITV presenter went on to ask: “Why are you picking on pensioners?”
This is a breaking live TV story, and the Showbiz Express.co.uk team will be updating this story with the latest information as soon as it is received.
