Andy Burnham has been urged by senior Labour members of the House of Lords to “make brave decisions” and scrap the state pension triple lock.
The intervention piles more pressure on the Prime Minister over the state of the public finances in the run up to the Budget next month – and casts further doubt on the long-term future of the triple lock policy.
It follows reports in The i Paper on Monday that Labour MPs are also privately urging Burnham to ditch the mechanism.
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ROYAL PICTURES
Prince George pictured on first day at Eton College
Caption: ETON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 8: Catherine, Princess of Wales (L) and Prince William, Prince of Wales (R) walk with their 13-year-old son, Prince George of Wales (C), as he arrives for his first day at Eton College on September 8, 2026 in Berkshire, England. (Photo by Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photographer: WPA Pool
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
The future king Prince George arrived at the prestigious boarding school Eton College, where he will follow in the footsteps of his father Prince William and uncle Prince Harry, for his first day on Tuesday.
Royal family arrive in rain
George’s parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied him from their nearby home Forest Lodge in Windsor, braving the heavy rain to escort him to school.
Caption: Prince George, accompanied by his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, starts his first day at Eton College in Windsor, Berkshire. Picture date: Tuesday September 8, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Adrian Dennis/PA Wire
Photographer: Adrian Dennis
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Source: PA
Caption: Prince George begins his first day at Eton College in Windsor, Berkshire. Picture by Matt Porteous / Kensington Palace
Provider: Picture by Matt Porteous / Kensington Palace
Eton fees exceed £63,000 per year, with a rigorous academic selection process. It has turned out twenty prime ministers over the years, as well as educating royalty.
Hopes for privacy
Eton is used to catering to famous children with security requirements, including recent royals from Ethiopia and Nepal.
It is expected that George will be largely free from press intrusion over the next five years, though some photos of him playing sport or acting in school plays are possible.
Caption: ETON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 8: A general view of Eton College ahead of the arrival of 13-year-old Prince George of Wales for his first day at Eton College on September 8, 2026 in Berkshire, England. (Photo by Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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6 min read
Caption: TX DATE:27-03-2026,TX WEEK:12,EMBARGOED UNTIL: 00:00:00,PEOPLE:Monty Don,DESCRIPTION:,COPYRIGHT:BBC Studios,CREDIT LINE:BBC Studios
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news
What next for Monty Don after Gardeners’ World exit
Monty Don is to step down from presenting his weekly BBC show Gardeners’ World at the end of its current series later this year, following more than 20 years at the helm.
Don will see out this season before stepping down
Don, 71, has hosted Gardener’s World since 2003, initially from Berryfields in Buckinghamshire.
He began welcoming audiences to his own garden, Longmeadow, in Herefordshire, in 2011.
Viewers enjoy glimpses of his dogs alongside gardening tips and tricks.
He plans to continune writing and work on other BBC programmes.
Interview
7 min read
‘A deeply rewarding experience’
That connection with millions, not just in Britain but across the world, who share a love of gardens, plants and the natural world is something I have always treasured and which I increasingly believe to be at the heart of a life well lived.
Monty don, gardeners’ world presenter
Monty together with his dog, Ned (Photo: Toby Melville/REUTERS)
BBC pays tribute
Monty is utterly unique, a wonderfully engaging broadcaster with a soothing, calm presence who has inspired so many with his passion for gardening. We will miss him on the show hugely.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s chief content officer
Adam is best known for his work on ‘Gardeners’ World’ (Photo: BBC Studios)
UK politics
Greens vying for Starmer’s old seat in October by-election
Caption: Green Party leader Zack Polanski speaking at Niamos in Hulme as the party?s Greater Manchester mayoral candidate Geraldine Coggins launches her manifesto for the election. Picture date: Thursday July 9, 2026.
Photographer: Rich McCarthy
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Source: PA Wire
With the by-election to replace former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer just a month away, a local Green Party politician is challenging Zack Polanski for the nomination.
In-fighting for the Greens
The by-election to replace Starmer as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras will take place on 8 October but the Green Party, Labour’s main opposition for the seat, is still yet to select its candidate.
Caption: Green Party leader Zack Polanski speaking during a press conference at Church House in central London. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Photographer: Jonathan Brady
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Copyright: PA Wire
Caption:
Councillor Hamza Chowdhury
Image: https://camden.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=7139
Polanski (right) announced his intention to run last week, but local Camden Green councillor Hamza Chowdury (left) said he wants to stand and has the support of six of the ten Green Camden councillors.
‘Choose someone here’
We don’t need another MP who arrives during an election campaign, puts out a few leaflets, makes a few promises and disappears once the votes are counted… I’m asking you to choose someone who is already here.
local councillor Hamza Chowdhury
Caption: A sign supporting the Green Party political party is displayed in a residential street on the eve of local and mayoral elections in England and devolved parliamentary elections in Wales and Scotland on May 7, in London, Britain, May 6, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Photographer: Toby Melville
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Source: REUTERS
How are the Greens’ chances?
At the 2024 general election, Starmer held the seat with 49 per cent of the vote, ahead of independent candidate Andrew Feinstein – who is not expected to run in the upcoming by-election – in second place on 19 per cent. The Greens came third on 10 per cent.
In May’s local elections, the Greens made gains to become Labour’s main opposition.
3 min read
3 min read
politics
UK sanctions on Israeli West Bank settlements spark backlash
Caption: New Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband leaving number 10 Downing Street, London. New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has entered number 10 Downing Street and among his first tasks is the selection of his new Cabinet. Picture date: Monday July 20, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Photographer: Yui Mok
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Source: PA
Copyright: PA Wire
The UK Government faces backlash after announcing sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as part of what Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has called a “reset” of Britain’s relations with Israel.
Sanctions on Israeli settlements
Land seizures and displacement of Palestinian populations in the West Bank have sharply escalated over the past three years. Other countries including Spain, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands have already implemented sanctions.
Caption: The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, backdropped by the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank city of Bethlehem (R), is seen in the Israel-annexed East Jerusalem on August 14, 2026. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: AHMAD GHARABLI
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Caption: An Israeli soldier stands guard against the backdrop of newly established Israeli settlement outpost in Beit Sahur, south of Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank on August 14, 2026. Violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank has increased dramatically since the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas from the Gaza Strip. More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law, among some three million Palestinians in the territory. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: AHMAD GHARABLI
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Israel’s leading human rights group, B’Tselem, said settlers had taken 100,000 hectares of land from Palestinians during that time – about 18 per cent of the West Bank – and 64 communities of around 4,000 residents have been displaced.
New position
The UK’s new stance under Prime Minister Andy Burnham will see a ban on imports from illegal settlements in the West Bank and sanctions on individuals and firms providing services to settlers.
Caption: In this video grab taken from footage broadcast by the UK Parliamentary Recording Unit (PRU) via the Parliament TV website in the House of Commons on September 8, 2026, Britain’s Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband delivers a speech on an import ban of goods from illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. (Photo by PRU / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – NO USE FOR ENTERTAINMENT, SATIRICAL, ADVERTISING PURPOSES – MANDATORY CREDIT ” AFP PHOTO / PRU “
Photographer: –
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Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – SEPTEMBER 08, 2026: Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Ed Miliband arrives in Downing Street to attend weekly Cabinet meeting in London, United Kingdom on September 08, 2026. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Photographer: Wiktor Szymanowicz
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Copyright: ? 2026 Wiktor Szymanowicz
Miliband said the British Government believed the occupation as a whole was unlawful, going beyond the previous position that only described the settlements themselves as illegal. He also said there was increasing evidence that Israel had committed war crimes in Gaza.
What are the sanctions?
New research has found that eating an avocado a week can cut the risk of heart disease by a fifth
Israel’s free trade agreement with the UK means only goods from the West Bank will be affected.
These include Medjool dates, mangoes, grapes and avocados.
5 min read
‘Ethnic cleansing’
The British Government agrees that there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists. And all too often, the Israeli government has turned a blind eye to this.
ed miliband, foreign secretary in the house of commons today
Caption: Screen grab of Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband making a statement on Israel-Palestine in the House of Commons, central London. Picture date: Tuesday September 8, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire
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Source: PA
Watch: Miliband’s announcement
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has announced that the UK will introduce an import ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The Government will also introduce a new “comprehensive sanctions regime” targeting the settlements.
♬ original sound – The i Paper – The i Paper
Was Trump told?
Burnham discussed the Middle East with US President Donald Trump in a phone call on Monday.
It is unclear to what extent Trump was briefed on the sanctions in advance, or what his reaction was.
However, several Israeli and US officials have already criticised the UK’s stance.
Analysis
3 min read
US hints at ‘retaliation’
I don’t know what all of the national sanctions or repercussions or retaliations will be from the US, hasn’t been announced yet.
Mike Huckabee, the American ambassador to Israel, has called the sanctions “Jew hate” and hinted that the US could retaliate against the UK, including by some states barring deals with British businesses.
Caption: FILE PHOTO: U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee gestures during a press conference after he met residents of Turmus Ayya, a Palestinian town near Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank that is home to many American citizens, September 5, 2026. REUTERS/Ammar Awad/File Photo
Photographer: Ammar Awad
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Source: REUTERS
What about Israel’s response?
Israeli President Isaac Herzog labelled the trade ban a “gross interference” in the country’s upcoming elections and said it placed Britain “on the wrong side of history”.
Meanwhile, the country’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, said Israel will introduce several countermeasures in response to the UK’s “hostile” actions. Israel is to close Britain’s consulate in East Jerusalem and has kicked it out of the US-led mission for Gaza.
1 min read
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Domestic reaction
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp is among those voicing domestic criticism of the move by Burnham’s government.
He called the sanctions “performative posturing” which will be “practically very difficult to implement” and said that the Conservative Party does not support them as they “risk damaging an important security relationship” with Israel.
Caption: Shadow home secretary Chris Philp during a briefing with Surrey Police ahead of a raid for Class-A drugs at a property in Cranleigh, Surrey. Picture date: Tuesday August 4, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire
Photographer: Jordan Pettitt
Provider: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire
Source: PA
3 min read
France artwork heist – multiple pieces stolen from Renoir Museum
Two thieves tried to steal four artworks from a museum dedicated to the impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir in southern France on Tuesday, dropping two paintings as they fled the scene.
Caption: A police officer stands in front of the entrance of the Musee Renoir after four paintings, valued at nine million euros, were stolen from the museum in an early-morning break-in, with two suspects still at large, in Cagnes-sur-Mer on September 8, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: VALERY HACHE
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Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors
What we know
Two thieves carried out the raid at the museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer, near Nice, on Tuesday morning, officials have said.
Wire fencing was cut for access, and museum alarms went off at 5:48am local time, according to the local mayor.
Startled by the alarms and police sirens minutes later, the thieves dropped two paintings in the museum’s garden.
However, the pair escaped with the other two pieces and remain at large.
‘Well equipped’ thieves
Cagnes-sur-Mer’s mayor, Bryan Masson, described the perpetrators as”well equipped” and “well informed” when speaking to the media on Tuesday.
In comments translated from French, he said the thieves “were wearing helmets, gloves, and combat gear” and carried “an electric knife and hacksaw” to cut the fence and gain access to the garden.
Video footage then showed the group cutting through structures holding the paintings’ frames in place before they began their escape, Masson said.
Caption: Rassemblement National (RN) Mayor of Cagnes-sur-Mer Bryan Masson makes a statement outside the Musee Renoir after four paintings, together valued at nine million euros, were stolen in an early-morning break-in, with one recovered nearby and two suspects still at large, in Cagnes-sur-Mer on September 8, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: VALERY HACHE
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors
The stolen works
The four works initially targeted in the heist – Portrait of Madame Pichon (1895), Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano (1910), Coco Lisant (1905) and Jeune fille au puits (1886) – were valued together at over £7.7m, according to reports from France.
Caption: A camera of the forensic police is seen during an investigation near a hole in the outer fence of the Renoir Museum after four paintings were stolen by thieves in an early-morning break-in, with two recovered nearby, in Cagnes-sur-Mer, on the French Riviera, France, September 8, 2026. REUTERS/Manon Cruz
Photographer: Manon Cruz
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS
Caption: Painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Portrait of Madame Colonna Romano
Image: Renoir museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Renoir_-_Portrait_de_Madame_Colonna_Romano,_non_dat%C3%A9.jpg
According to an update from the local mayor’s office later on Tuesday morning, the two pieces the thieves made it out with were: Madame Colonna Romano (left above) and Jeune femme au puits (next slide).
Also missing: Jeune fille au puits
Caption: Painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Jeune femme au puits
Image: Renoir museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Renoir_-_Jeune_femme_au_puits,_non_dat%C3%A9.jpg
Latest French museum heist
Prior to the robbery, the Renoir Museum was home to 12 paintings by the artist, who died in 1919.
The museum was opened in 1960, in Renoir’s last home before his death.
This heist comes less than a year after eight items valued at about £76m were stolen in a daylight robbery from the Louvre in Paris.
2 min read
Watch more from The i Paper
France is loaning the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum for the first time since it was made almost 1,000 years ago – so how can you get tickets? The 70 metre long artwork tells the story of the Norman conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. A whopping 80,000 people waited in the online queue for tickets, leaving many disappointed. But for those who missed out, the museum will soon be releasing another batch.
♬ original sound – The i Paper
politics
The hefty cost of Burnham’s slick social media campaign
Andy Burnham is spending up to £1m a year on expanding No 10’s social media operation, The i Paper can reveal, as the Prime Minister tries to connect with audiences on TikTok and Instagram.
Here’s where that money is going.
Where do the figures come from?
The Cabinet Office advertised 13 roles in July
Lowest salary – £37,922
Social videographer.
Highest salary – £80,342
Head of social and creative production.
Total cost – £1.04m
if everyone is paid the highest band offered, including pensions and national insurance.
7 min read
Where is the money going?
EXCLUSIVE | Andy Burnham is spending up to £1m a year on expanding No 10’s social media operation, The i Paper can reveal, as the Prime Minister tries to connect with audiences on TikTok and Instagram. The Cabinet Office advertised 13 roles in July focused on social video and online content, ranging from a social videographer on £37,922 to a head of social creative and production on £80,342. Combined, the salaries for these roles range from £617,246 to £731,933 a year, depending on where in each pay band successful candidates are appointed.
♬ original sound – The i Paper – The i Paper
What do colleagues think?
Burnham’s dedication to promoting the Government’s work on social media has been celebrated by Labour colleagues, after his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, was criticised for a lack of communication skills while prime minister.
One such Labour MP told The i Paper: “Burnham’s just got that touch when it comes to communication. … We’re getting way more cut-through already.”
Caption: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – SEPTEMBER 02, 2026: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham departs 10 Downing Street for the House of Commons to attend the Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in London, United Kingdom on September 02, 2026. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Photographer: Wiktor Szymanowicz
Provider: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publis
Source: Future Publishing
Copyright: ? 2026 Wiktor Szymanowicz
Exclusive
2 min read
Burnham vs Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer is to stand down as an MP months after quitting as Prime Minister (Photo: Isabel Infantes/Reuters)
In his first 90 days on TikTok, Starmer received 59.3 million views to Burnham’s 78.1 million.
Burnham has hit 752,000 Instagram followers since taking office, with his predecessor peaking at 852,000 after two years.
3 min read
How to be more grateful for daily life in five easy steps
Gratitude
The world feels like a difficult place at the moment, and it can feel very hard sometimes to find things to be thankful for; when we are overwhelmed, we have less capacity to notice and reflect on the good things. Yet, ironically, proactively cultivating gratitude is one of the things that can actually help us feel less stressed.
NHS GP dR RADHA
The science
Research has shown that feeling or expressing thanks can actually alter our brain.
The balance of neurotransmitters change; more serotonin and dopamine (feel good chemicals) are produced.
This can be long lasting if we make gratitude a regular habit.
We also get a decrease in our cortisol (stress hormone) levels which helps lower anxiety.
Being grateful can strengthen the nerve pathways which triggers positive emotion.
How can we build gratitude?
Caption: Two adult brothers enjoy a warm embrace in a sunny park. They stand beside a decorative fence surrounded by lush greenery, showcasing a strong bond and happiness in the moment.
Photographer: Beatriz Herrera
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
Copyright: beatrizherreragonzalez@gmail.com
Change your words
Instead of seeing something as a problem, try to see the opportunities within it.
Journal
Our brains are very receptive and what we read or write can alter our emotional system.
Caucasian mid adult patient writing a diary while recovering in the hospital ward – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
‘One question is how to achieve such a longevity hack when most of us have relationships that unsettle us,’ says Dr Amir Levine (Photo: Oliver Rossi/Getty)
Express it
This will not only make you feel good, but you will also get a positive response from others.
How can we build gratitude?
Notice more
Throughout your day, try to notice all the things that are going well; has someone opened a door for you, or smiled?
Exercise with people you love (Photographer: Morsa Images/Getty/Digital Vision/Abel Mitj? Varela)
Caption: Group of Happy Asian senior women friends shopping and having lunch at restaurant on summer holiday vacation. Healthy elderly woman enjoy outdoor lifestyle meeting and eating food together.
Photographer: CandyRetriever
Provider: Getty Images
Source: iStockphoto
The basics
By being thankful for the small things every day, we are far more likely to be and stay healthy so that we can enjoy them.
What to do
Gratitude can lead to feelings of optimism, lower our blood pressure, and improve sleep quality.
Write down what potential good aspects there are to the things you don’t feel like doing, or even what could be worse about it.
Spend a few minutes writing down three things that you are looking forward to that day, or the good things that have happened to you that day.
Say thank you to yourself for the things you have achieved, or managed to get through and changed that day.
Sales of battery
electric vehicles hit a record high last year.
Leon Poultney, a writer who specialises in cars, gives his EV recommendations, and the ones that should be avoided.
Renault 5 E-Tech
Starts at £22,995 for the smaller battery
Available with either a 40kWh battery or a larger 52kWh pack, that offers almost 255 miles, the latest, retro-inspired Renault 5 is both a joy to behold and a hoot to drive.
The interior has been lavished with a level of detail that’s typically reserved for more expensive cars.
4 min read
Mercedes-Benz CLA
A champion of EV efficiency
It offers a remarkable 491 mile range on a single charge from the 85kWh battery.
It is a technological masterclass inside with the ability to option screens that span the entire width of the dashboard, including an optional display for the front passenger.
Priced from £37,400
2 min read
Porsche Macan GTS
It’s a lot of money to part with, but this is arguably all the car you will ever need.
The £89,000 Macan is a premium SUV that somehow manages to blend Porsche’s reputation for dynamics and sporty driving with everyday practicality.
The 95kWh batteries can go from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 21 minutes from the fastest public charging outlets.
Kia EV 9
With the business class-style six seat configuration costing a staggering £76,995, it is by far the most expensive Kia ever made, but it backs up its financial demands with a suite of genuinely useful and impressive onboard technology.
MG IM6
It’s fast, goes a long way between stops and charges relatively quickly but the interior is bland, the onboard technology is infuriating and the experience is devoid of emotion.
BYD Dolphin Surf
All of its gadgetry can’t disguise the fact that performance is weak, even for a typically zippy EV, the ride is fussy at slower speeds and it’s not in the least bit enjoyable to drive on a country road.
While good value (prices start at £17,935) for the 200-mile max range, there are more interesting options from Hyundai, Citroen and Renault for similar money.
Leapmotor T03
It attempts to wow with tech, much of which hinders, rather than helps.
There’s no tangible benefit over mounting your phone to the dash.
Simply an average driving experience, adequate range and slow charging speeds.
2 min read
The triple lock policy sees state pensions rise by the higher of 2.5 per cent, wage growth or inflation each year. But high inflation and wage growth has seen its cost soar. The state pension bill is now at £146.1bn – nearly half the total welfare bill of £333.7bn.
Labour has committed to keep the lock for the duration of this Parliament, which could last until 2029. But the growing criticism from economists and politicians means it could be left out of the next party manifesto.
The latest round of criticism came during a Lords’ debate in which several members, including Lord Reid, a former cabinet minister, criticised the policy.
Reid, the former home, defence and health secretary, said the policy must be challenged as part of the Government’s response to Britain’s ageing population, and that he was “disappointed” that a Lords’ report on the issue had not “more forthrightly considered and challenged” the triple lock mechanism.
He also backed the argument of economist Lord O’Neill, a key economic adviser to the Prime Minister, who has warned that the triple lock is increasingly difficult to justify as the population ages.
O’Neill claims that the policy protects pensioners from falls in living standards while placing a growing burden on younger generations through higher taxes and housing costs, and has called for it to be scaled back or replaced.
Reid told peers: “I agree entirely with him.”
The mounting criticism leaves the Prime Minister facing an increasingly difficult political choice: maintain a manifesto commitment to pensioners or find savings at a time when his Government is under pressure to fund defence, tackle youth unemployment and restore confidence in the public finances.
Lord Walker, the Iceland Foods executive chairman and the government’s former cost of living champion, also called for change, telling peers that “now is the time to make brave decisions on welfare and, dare I say it, the triple lock”.
Lord Hunt, a health minister under Tony Blair, acknowledged the political pressure building around the policy, saying: “We all know we have to face up to this.”
Lord Davies, a pensions specialist, said that simply retaining the triple lock was not enough to create a stable financial system.
“What is going to follow the triple lock?” he asked. “Just saying ‘keep the triple lock’ does not satisfy the need to get a stable financial system.”
The policy also came under attack from former senior Treasury officials sitting as crossbenchers. Former cabinet secretary Lord Turnbull called it “frankly, idiotic”, while former Treasury permanent secretary Lord Macpherson said “the triple lock will have to go”.
Lord Burns, another former Treasury permanent secretary, said the mechanism produced arbitrary and random increases in pension values.
The argument has also exposed divisions on the Conservative benches.
Lord Tugendhat called for the triple lock to be scrapped, saying it had been necessary when introduced but had “long since served its purpose”, while former pensions minister Baroness Coffey said she would prefer “some kind of double lock”.
But Lord Redwood defended the existing system, saying abolishing it would be “a great pity” and arguing that the state pension should be treated as an earned entitlement rather than a benefit.
The issue has already come under pressure beyond the Lords. The British Chambers of Commerce has called for the pension guarantee to be replaced with inflation-only increases.
Burnham had told The i Paper in June that he would keep the triple lock if he became Prime Minister, saying Labour had to honour its manifesto commitment.