Nearly half of Britons BACK Andy Burnham's plan to axe triple lock, bombshell snap poll reveals

Under the changes, which will take effect from April 2030, the pension will continue to rise in line with inflation or by 2.5 per cent, while maintaining its value relative to average earnings over time.

And, just hours after the announcement, pollsters at YouGov conducted a snap poll which revealed some 48 per cent of Britons back the amendments.

Delivering a rousing speech in Liverpool, Mr Burnham said he will honour Labour's manifesto pledge to keep the triple lock on pensions through to the end of this parliament.

But from 2030, he said the Government will "adjust it".

"From then, the state pension will continue to rise every year at least by prices or 2.5 per cent," the Makerfield MP declared.

"And it will hold its value relative to earnings over time so that pensioners will always share in the rising prosperity of the nation. This change will generate significant savings, which we will use to build up our own National Care Service."

Britons back Andy Burnham's proposal to change the triple lock, a new poll shows

YOUGOV

He admitted that he "may pay a political price" for this announcement, but "someone has to go through the pain barrier and rip the plaster off".

Some 28 per cent of Britons oppose the plans, while a quarter of those surveyed today remain unsure.

Reform UK is just one party up in arms after Andy Burnham vowed to abandon the pensions triple lock at the next election.

Nigel Farage said: "By potentially scrapping the triple lock, Andy Burnham will abdicate his responsibility to British pensioners.

Andy Burnham gave his speech at Labour Conference today

PA

"Instead of cutting our bloated benefits bill, stopping migrants from accessing benefits, or slashing foreign aid, he’s considering launching an offensive against our elderly.

"If he is so desperate to pick a fight with pensioners, he should get on with it, call a general election now, and let the public decide.

"Reform UK will always protect our pensioners and maintain the triple lock."

Ahead of Conference, Mr Burnham attempted to quash rumours he was due to call a snap election.

When asked whether he was considering calling a contest, he said: "Not particularly. No, I’m not.

"And I see all the speculation and it just races ahead. And, you know, the media love to do that. No, no election any time soon.

"I’m focused on the job as Prime Minister doing what I said I would do."

Mr Burnham has then used his time at Labour Conference to lay out what proposals he would turn into a manifesto pledge at the next election.