Minister's triple-lock update after Andy Burnham said 'nothing off the table'

Pensions “triple lock” protection is expected to remain in place until the next general election, senior Labour minister and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said. Asked whether it was appropriate to review the rule to fund defence and social care spending, Streeting told Sky News Labour’s manifesto is “clear” on keeping the triple lock, adding that Prime Minister Andy Burnham has backed the party’s program. The triple lock is the policy guaranteeing annual increases to the State Pension. Burnham’s comments come after he said he was willing to take unpopular choices and potentially raise taxes to fund an NHS-style social care system in England. He said nothing was off the table, though Labour is currently constrained by manifesto commitments not to raise income tax, VAT or national insurance, with plans expected to be put to voters at the next election expected in 2029.