Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that the state pension triple lock will be maintained in its current form until April 2030, after which it will be “adjusted” to help fund a new National Care Service for England.
Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on 29 September 2026, the Prime Minister set out a long-term plan to overhaul social care by diverting savings from the pension system. Under the proposals, the triple lock—which currently ensures the state pension rises by the highest of 2.5 per cent, inflation, or average earnings—will be modified at the start of the next decade.
From April 2030, the pension will be guaranteed to rise by the higher of inflation or 2.5 per cent. The link to average earnings, a key pillar of the existing system, will become conditional and will only be triggered if the value of the pension falls behind specific benchmarks.
The National Care Service
The government intends to use the savings generated by this adjustment to establish a National Care Service (NCS). The new service is designed to be free at the point of use for personal care in England, mirroring the model used by the NHS.
However, the Prime Minister clarified that the NCS will not cover “bed and board” costs for those in residential care. These accommodation costs will remain subject to existing means-tested contributions managed by local councils.
Public and Political Reaction
The announcement has prompted a sharp divide in opinion. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham criticised the move, describing the decision to move away from the current triple lock as “electoral suicide.”
Conversely, public polling suggests a level of support for the trade-off. A YouGov poll released alongside the announcement found that 48 per cent of the public support changing the triple lock if the money is used to fund a national care service, compared to 28 per cent who oppose the idea.
The Prime Minister became visibly emotional during his speech when discussing the personal drivers behind the policy. He referenced the recent death of his father and his grandmother’s own experiences within the care system as motivations for seeking a permanent solution to the social care crisis.
What happens next?
For current pensioners and those retiring before the end of the decade, there is no immediate change to how the state pension is calculated. The government has confirmed:
- The triple lock remains fully in place for the duration of the current Parliament.
- The “adjusted” mechanism will not come into effect until April 2030.
While the “adjusted” model removes the automatic earnings link, the government maintains that the 2.5 per cent and inflation protections will ensure the pension continues to grow in real terms. Critics, however, have characterised the move as “scrapping” a vital safeguard for the elderly.
