𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Andy Burnham has said it is “important” to continue the Labour manifesto commitment to maintain the triple lock on the state pension.

There has been speculation about whether the wannabe PM would ditch the measure which rises each year by the highest of either average earnings growth, inflation or 2.5%

Mr Burnham, who said he would not call a general election, said: “I appreciate there’s a lot of debate about this but it is important that the commitment in the manifesto stands.”

Kemi Badenoch accused Mr Burnham of dodging scrutiny by answering “softball questions” online.

The Conservative leader slammed the soon-to-be Prime Minister for answering questions on social media forum Reddit on Friday instead of from the press.

Mrs Badenoch asked a question of her own of the Makerfield MP, who will replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader on July 20 if unchallenged.

She said: “Hi Andy, Kemi here. Whilst you’re answering softball questions on Reddit, I’ve been in Yorkshire answering questions from the press.

“You’re going to be Prime Minister soon so it’s time to start acting like one. Come out from hiding, face a proper press conference and submit yourself to scrutiny and some tough questions. Are you up for it?”

In response, the former mayor said: “Fair challenge, Kemi – but don’t forget it’s only two weeks since I faced questions from 74,000 members of the public in Makerfield!”

Mr Burnham answered questions submitted hours earlier about his HS2, concerns he may neglect the south of the country with his push in the north, public control of utilities and electoral reform.

He also said he will ensure the defence investment plan is “fully funded”.

Mr Burnham said he would not call a general election because “I’m going to work to the 2024 manifesto.”

Separately, it has been reported that he will press ahead with a social media ban for under 16s and

He refused to take questions from journalists following his one major speech of the leadership campaign so far and has given only one interview, on Thursday evening.

Mr Burnham said there was room for movement on tax despite pledging to keep Labour’s 2024 manifesto commitments not to increase workers’ income tax, national insurance or VAT rates.

He said he has not yet decided who will be his Chancellor of the exchequer, adding: “I haven’t made those decisions, and deliberately not”.

The Makerfield mP defended his decision not to take questions following Monday’s policy speech.

“I didn’t answer questions, and some people criticise me for that, but again, I’m challenging some of the prevailing culture, where it immediately will go into a Westminster obsession,” he said.

The Q&A session came nearly two years after the general election on July 4 2024.

The public are divided on the result of the vote, with 35% believing it would have been better if the Conservatives had won, while 34% feel it’s better that Labour did in fact win.

Three in 10 (31%) did not know, when quizzed by YouGov.