Labour conference debate intensifies over pension triple lock and care plans

Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham is expected to use his first conference speech as party leader to argue for a major programme of reform, including action on social care, energy, water and housing. According to the party’s briefing, Burnham will say that Britain cannot continue with “politics-as-usual” and that difficult issues ignored by Westminster require an honest discussion with the public. He is due to address the Labour conference in Liverpool at 2pm.

Burnham has already proposed an NHS-style care service providing care free at the point of delivery. The available material says he has not set out how the plan would be funded. Downing Street has not ruled out speculation that one source of funding could involve changing the pension triple lock.

Labour promised to retain the policy for the current parliamentary term, and Burnham is not expected to pledge its immediate abolition. Party sources have suggested he may instead signal a willingness to review it. The triple lock is politically sensitive because it links pension increases to a measure including earnings, inflation or 2.5 per cent, although the supplied material does not explain the formula in detail.

The debate has already drawn criticism from Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite. Graham told the Times that abolishing the policy could be “almost electoral suicide” and said she did not believe it was morally right. She argued that Britain’s pension spending was low compared with other G7 economies.

Burnham is also expected to announce a government-backed body to invest in the electricity grid as part of a broader plan to increase public control of utilities. Other conference events include speeches by Angela Rayner and ministers Lucy Powell, Miatta Fahnbulleh and Kanishka Narayan.