Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, has condemned potential plans to scrap the state pension triple lock, labelling the proposal “morally wrong” as the government weighs up how to fund a new National Care Service.
The union leader’s comments, made on the morning of 29 September 2026, come as Prime Minister Andy Burnham prepares to deliver his first keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. The Prime Minister is expected to signal a willingness to review the long-standing pension guarantee to support a social care system that is free at the point of use.
The pension triple lock ensures that the state pension increases each year by whichever is the highest of three measures: average earnings growth, Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation, or a minimum of 2.5%.
Speaking on the morning of the conference speech, Ms Graham argued that the government should look towards “wealth taxes” rather than “picking the pocket of pensioners” to fund social care. She stated that removing the safeguard would be a betrayal of older people who rely on the current £12,500-a-year baseline.
Political debate over social care funding
The move to open a debate on the future of the triple lock has divided senior figures within the party. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has described Mr Burnham’s decision to tackle the “social care nettle” as “brave,” suggesting that a National Care Service requires a sustainable funding model.
The proposed National Care Service aims to create an NHS-style system for adult social care in England. While the vision of a service free at the point of use has been widely welcomed, the mechanism for funding it remains the subject of intense political debate.
What this means for pensioners
Under the current rules, there is no immediate threat to the triple lock for the 2026/27 financial year. The Labour government is currently bound by its 2024 manifesto commitment to maintain the lock for the lifetime of the current parliament.
For now, the state pension will continue to rise in line with the established formula. Any shift in policy would require a new mandate, meaning the current debate is focused on the long-term future of the UK’s welfare and care spending.
The Prime Minister’s speech in Liverpool is expected to set out the broad vision for the “NHS-style” care system, while acknowledging the “difficult choices” required to make it a reality. Following the conference, further consultations are expected to take place regarding the fiscal framework of the National Care Service.
