Burnham admits 'triple lock' raid may not cover care bills and warns Brits to brace for MORE tax rises
From the Newshound archive · first published 28 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.
Andy Burnham pauses to compose himself, hours before a conference address in which the Prime Minister is expected to signal he is open to revisiting the triple lock to fund an NHS-style social care system.Andy Burnham, Prime Minister, acknowledged he would 'pay a political price' for scrapping the earnings link from state pension rises to fund a National Care Service costing up to £18 billion a year.
Andy Burnham conceded this morning that scrapping the pension triple lock — estimated to save £15 billion a year by 2040 — may still fall billions short of funding his National Care Service, leaving the door open to further tax rises. The PM acknowledged a potential "shortfall" and pledged to be "honest" about where the extra money will come from. Former IFS head Paul Johnson warned that "a significant additional amount of tax" will be needed regardless.
Experts say up to £18.5 billion a year may be needed for social care, and the triple lock saving won't come close until 2040.
Unite union boss Sharon Graham called the plan "electoral suicide", saying taking security from pensioners on £12,500 a year is "wrong".
The new 'double lock' will still leave some Britons selling their homes to fund residential care costs — because the National Care Service will cover personal care only.
