Andy Burnham pledges pension triple lock changes to fund care reforms

In a packed conference hall filled with family and friends, Burnham delivered a speech lasting over an hour, visibly emotional at moments as he spoke about his late father, Roy, who passed away earlier this month. He entered the stage to the tune of “All Together Now” by Liverpool band The Farm, using the song’s message as a central theme throughout his address. Burnham emphasized his desire to “draw a line on a decade of division” and called for an end to the negativity that dominates social media discussions about the country’s governance. Reflecting on his working-class roots, Burnham highlighted his ambition to put the nation on a new trajectory, aiming to unlock opportunity for others as his family once aspired to do.

Burnham used the occasion to reveal further details about his vision for the future, though many of his proposals were presented as longer-term goals rather than immediate initiatives. Among these was his plan to introduce free social care in England at the point of use, a policy intended for inclusion in the Labour manifesto for the 2029 general election. He assured the public that this would be “fully funded and not through borrowing.” Drawing on personal experience, Burnham recounted the story of his grandmother Kitty, whose engagement ring was stolen in a care home. He described the establishment of a national care service as a “landmark” initiative, comparing its importance to the founding of the NHS and asserting it is crucial for securing the health system’s future.

Addressing pension reforms, Burnham acknowledged he might “pay a political price” for proposing changes to the pension triple lock, a policy introduced in 2010 to protect the state pension from being eroded by inflation or wage growth. The triple lock ensures pensions rise annually by the highest of inflation, earnings growth, or 2.5%. Burnham indicated the triple lock would remain intact until 2030, after which he intends to adjust it. He stated, “The state pension will continue to rise every year at least by prices or 2.5%. And it will hold its value relative to earnings over time so that pensioners will always share in the rising prosperity of the nation.” The savings from this change, estimated by officials to be around £15 billion annually by 2040, would contribute to establishing the national care service. However, this proposal drew immediate criticism from political figures such as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, as well as concerns from unions like Unite, with its leader Sharon Graham advocating for alternatives like wealth taxes.

Burnham also announced intentions to repeal Margaret Thatcher’s ban on public ownership of water companies, initiating a decade-long transformation of the water system, including granting mayors greater powers to hold these companies accountable. He proposed legislative changes to make it easier for local councils to intervene in poor-quality private rentals where landlords fail to act after warnings. On broader political issues, Burnham described Brexit as having caused “more harm than good” and expressed openness to exploring closer ties with the European Union. Looking ahead to talks expected later in the year, he pledged to outline options for the UK’s long-term relationship with the EU, seeking consensus to clarify its position within Europe. Highlighting electoral reform, Burnham announced the establishment of a national commission aimed at changing the current voting system to ensure all votes carry weight. He called on all political parties to participate, signaling that Labour would campaign on this commitment in the next general election. Alongside these political reforms, Burnham advocated for increased investment in young people, comprehensive education reform that offers parity between academic and technical routes, and a major overhaul of the welfare system to support new opportunities. However, his speech faced criticism from Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who dismissed it as consisting largely of “half measures, reannouncements and tinkering.

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