Headline: Andy Burnham Faces Calls to Reform Pension Triple Lock to Help Fund Social Care

Date: 28 September 2026

Tags: UK Politics, Social Care, Pensions, Labour

Summary:

• Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces calls from Labour figures to reform the state pension triple lock to help fund social care.

• Burnham is expected to outline plans for an NHS-style care system providing support free at the point of use.

• Baroness Casey is reviewing England’s social care system and will advise the government on delivering proposed reforms.

• Former minister Darren Jones suggested some triple-lock spending could potentially be redirected towards supporting older people through social care.

• Lord Blunkett called for ending the triple lock, arguing the change could save up to £22bn by 2030.

• Labour currently remains committed to maintaining the triple lock until at least the next general election.

• Burnham has not ruled out tax increases, saying funding decisions could be difficult or unpopular.

• No decision has been made on whether Labour could propose triple-lock reform in its next general election manifesto.

• Unite general secretary Sharon Graham opposed replacing the triple lock with increased social care spending.

• England’s social care is means-tested, with people holding savings above £23,250 generally paying their full care costs.

Why this matters: Labour is debating how to finance potentially significant social care reform while managing growing pension and wider welfare expenditure.

What’s next: Burnham is expected to set out his social care vision, while detailed funding decisions will depend partly on Baroness Casey’s review.