Andy Burnham pledges pension triple lock changes to fund care reforms
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced plans to reform the state pension triple lock starting in 2030 to fund a new national social care service. During his Labour Party conference speech, he also expressed intentions to increase public control over essential utilities and potentially reform the electoral system.
Why it matters
This policy shift represents a significant change to the UK's long-standing pension structure and signals a major pivot in government spending priorities toward social care.
Image source, Reuters By Richard Wheeler Political reporter Published 29 September 2026 Andy Burnham has set out his plan to transform Britain, including by ending the existing state pension triple lock from 2030 to help fund a new national care service.
In his first Labour Party conference speech as prime minister, Burnham also said he wants to pave the way for greater public control over housing, water and energy services, and potentially reform the UK's electoral system.
After days of questions over how to fund his social care reforms in England, Burnham pointed to changing the triple lock to generate "significant savings".
His plans would see the state pension increase every year at least by inflation or 2.5% - but remove the automatic annual link with average earnings.
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