By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2026-10-06 15:17:05 | Updated at 2026-10-06 16:28:17
2 hours ago
Kemi Badenoch has refused to say whether she would reinstate the pension triple lock if it were to be scrapped by Labour.
The Tory leader insisted while it was party policy to keep it in place, she did not to commit to reversing any changes to legislation that axes it in its current form.
She told Times Radio: “I have said that the triple lock is our policy and it remains our policy. I don’t think going after pensioners is the right thing when there are loads of people who can work, who won’t work.
“When we are going to reverse Labour’s policies, I say we are going to reverse their policies.
“I have said that we are keeping this policy, but if they take that money and they spend it on something that we can’t get it back from, then it would be difficult for me."
In his speech at the Labour conference in Liverpool, the Prime Minister called for the triple lock to be reviewed in his party's next election manifesto.
Mr Burnham told party members there must be an "honest conversation" about how to fix Britain's deep structural issues and warned that Britain "can’t carry on as we are".
Introduced in 2010, the policy requires the Government to increase the state pension each April by whichever is highest - CPI inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5 per cent.
The Tory leader insisted while it was party policy to keep it in place, she did not to commit to reversing any changes
On Friday, Downing Street confirmed the Prime Minister is planning to axe the triple lock early despite promising pensioners no changes will be made until 2030.
A No10 spokesman said MPs will get to vote on the plans ahead of the next general election.
It is not yet known when Mr Burnham plans on holding the next national poll.
The Prime Minister had said Britons would need to wait until 2029 before taking to the stage at Labour Conference. However, insiders have suggested he may call a snap election in May.
Andy Burnham told party members there must be an 'honest conversation' about how to fix Britain's deep structural issues
Addressing the looming changes to the triple lock, a No10 spokesman said: “The Government will legislate for the change during this Parliament.”
Under the proposed changes, the Government will now only link state pension increases to inflation or a minimum of 2.5 per cent.
The Government believes the new system will help save £15billion by 2040.
Reform UK's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick accused Mr Burnham of "not being straight with the British public" amid the planned changes, adding: "He told us he wouldn’t be touching the triple lock until 2030."
Robert Jenrick accused Andy Burnham of 'not being straight with the British public' amid the planned changes
PA
The Reform UK Treasury spokesman added: "Now we find out he’s legislating for his plan to rob pensioners during this Parliament.
“Reform UK will always back our pensioners. We’ll keep the triple lock by cutting wasteful spending on migrant benefits, foreign aid and mad net zero subsidies.”
Recent polling has suggested the public is broadly supportive of Mr Burnham's plan to axe the triple lock.
Almost half - 48 per cent - told YouGov they would back the change to fund social care.
Meanwhile, 28 per cent of Britons still disagreed with the changes.
