Andy Burnham has faced criticism over claims that pensioners could be targeted as speculation grows that he may scrap the triple lock. The prime minister has said he is prepared to make unpopular decisions, including raising taxes, to fund an NHS-style social care system.
Funding the National Care Service
Burnham has argued for a system in which "everyone contributes, everyone is covered", while refusing to rule out tax rises to pay for it. However, reports suggest that fully funding the proposed system could also mean ditching the triple lock, which guarantees the state pension rises each year by whichever is highest of inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5%.
Express columnist Carole Malone has described the move as "electoral suicide" as she slammed the plan on GB News.
Reaction from commentators
"It's electoral suicide if he does this. This Labour Party hates pensioners. First they cut the winter fuel allowance, then they're going to do this," she said.
"I'm old enough to remember why the triple lock was brought in in the first place. It was brought in in 2010 by the Tories and it was to stamp out pensioner poverty because for decades before, pensioners had lived in poverty."
"Even today, two and a half million people depend on the state pension alone, they've got nothing else. If you cut this triple lock from them, people will die of starvation and lack of heat because everything is going up," Carole continued.
"Food and fuel inflation is skyrocketing. Even with the triple lock, pensioners get two and a half per cent, but it's nothing! It's nothing on a pension of £12,500 a year. It's not even a cup of tea and a cake in a cafe. It doesn't amount to anything."
She added: "To pretend that we have zillions of millionaire pensioners in this country is just a joke."
Comparisons with winter fuel payment
Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid agreed that the social care system needs to be reformed, but also raised concerns about the potential consequences of scrapping the triple lock, drawing comparisons with Keir Starmer's decision to remove the winter fuel payment for millions of pensioners just months after taking office.
"Unfortunately, there is a massive issue about how we pay for it because it would cost billions," Susanna said. "Of course, that would be a worthwhile investment, but that money has to come from somewhere."
She added: "Because it could be a removal of the triple lock on pensioners. The comparison is being made with Starmer coming in and removing the winter fuel allowance. That was the beginning of the end for that prime minister."
