Andy Burnham is facing calls to axe the triple lock to fund his social care overhaul. The Prime Minister will set out the "broad direction" of his plans for an NHS-style social care system in his Labour conference speech. He said he was prepared to risk his political future and that nothing was off the table to pay for the overhaul.
Triple lock under scrutiny
Former Cabinet minister Darren Jones suggested ditching the triple lock - which sees the state pension rise every year by whichever is highest out of inflation, earnings and 2.5% - to fund the changes. He told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: "An interesting thought, maybe, the triple lock is very expensive in the years ahead and is of benefit to older people.
"If you're reallocating money to help older people in the social care system, maybe there's some reform that can be made there."
Political reaction
But Reform UK's Robert Jenrick said: "Instead of choosing to cut the benefits bill, end foreign aid and stop net zero subsidies, Labour MPs want to scrap the state pension. Their priorities are all wrong.
"Reform will keep the triple lock and raise the tax-free personal allowance to £15,000 so it's never taxed."
Unite boss Sharon Graham warned that her union would oppose changes to the triple lock. She told Sky News: "I think it's also important that what doesn't happen is that we sort of pit against each other.
"So that shouldn't be instead of the triple lock, for example, we have got one of the lowest rates that we give to pensioners in the G7. I think that we joint lowest the amount that we give to pensioners.
"And so therefore we need to make sure that there isn't taking money from somewhere, making people less well-off in order to do other things."
Government position
The Prime Minister has committed to Labour's 2024 manifesto pledge to keep the triple lock for the duration of this Parliament. But there is ongoing speculation over its long-term future as critics claim it is unaffordable.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting this morning said it will stay in place until the next General Election, due by 2029. He told Sky News: "The manifesto was clear on this – we're committed to the triple lock.
"And (Prime Minister) Andy Burnham has been clear that we are standing by our manifesto. So, I hope that's clear."
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