New YouGov polling suggests voters support Andy Burnham's plan to scrap the pensions triple lock in its current form to fund social care reform by 48% to 28%. The findings challenge Sharon Graham's warning that the move would be "electoral suicide".
Poll Findings on the Proposals
The poll found that when people were asked in isolation whether they supported setting up a National Care Service, they were overwhelmingly in favour, by 74% to 11%. YouGov also found that, when asked in isolation if they would back turning the triple lock into a double lock (by removing the earnings link), respondents were in favour by 43% to 30%.
Burnham's proposal is more generous than a simple reversion to a double lock. When YouGov put the two proposals together and described them as Burnham's plan, getting rid of the triple lock in its current form became more popular.
Public Opinion Context
What people tell pollsters about a policy just after it has been announced may bear little resemblance to how they feel by the time it gets implemented. However, these findings suggest Burnham is well placed to win the public argument on the merits of his policy.
When Rachel Reeves announced she was cutting winter fuel payments in 2024, early polling showed people opposed the move, and it was particularly unpopular with pensioners.
