Andy Burnham has been told to "stand by" his promise of a £12,569 state pension for pensioners, as Conservative Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride issued a stark warning following Burnham's return to Westminster. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts that state pension increases will take the weekly amount from £230.30 to £240.90 in 2026-27, a £10.60 rise equating to an annual uplift of £551.
Triple lock under threat?
Speculation is mounting that Burnham, the new Labour MP for Makerfield and potential future Prime Minister, could ditch the triple lock policy. The triple lock ensures the state pension rises by the highest of inflation, average earnings, or 2.5%. Mel Stride warned: "Under the last Labour government, the UK had the fourth-highest level of pensioner poverty in Europe. The triple lock played a crucial role in changing that."
Stride added: "Pensioners have far less ability to improve their financial circumstances. They can't simply take on another job, work additional hours, or increase their income. That's why Andy Burnham must stand by pensioners, and why the Conservatives remain committed to the triple lock."
Reform UK and campaigners weigh in
Reform UK's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick called for a general election, stating: "It’s yet another reason why we need a general election. Reform UK will cut the waste on illegal migrants, net zero madness, and welfare for those who don’t need it, so we can protect the dignity of pensioners who have worked hard and done the right thing their whole lives."
Dennis Reed, director of pensioner advocacy group Silver Voices, urged Burnham to ignore advisors calling for the triple lock's removal. "Andy Burnham would be wise to ignore the weasel words of some of his advisors and stick to his campaign pledge of supporting the triple lock," Reed said. "There is an unrepresentative, but organised, chorus from anti-pensioner commentators urging Burnham to reassure the markets by scrapping the triple lock in the next parliament. This has all the hallmarks of the first Labour misstep, within a few weeks of taking office, of scrapping winter fuel payments to show Labour's commitment to tackling the country's economic malaise."
Context and implications
The triple lock has been a cornerstone of pension policy since its introduction in 2010, credited with significantly reducing pensioner poverty. The OBR's forecast of a £551 increase reflects current economic conditions, but any change to the policy could have profound effects on the 12.5 million state pension recipients in the UK. Burnham has not yet publicly clarified his position on the triple lock since returning to Westminster.
