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Andy Burnham was accused of treating pensioners like “cash cows” after announcing plans to scrap the triple lock. The Prime Minister used his Labour conference speech to announce changes to the policy at the next general election to pay for his social care reforms.

Under his plans, the state pension would rise by either inflation or 2.5%, but there could sometimes be a boost based on average earnings. But Reform UK’s Suella Braverman lashed out at Mr Burnham for his “indefensible assault on pensioners”.

Speaking to the Daily Express about her new book Patriot: Empire, Betrayal, and Hope, she said: “Pensioners who have worked hard all their lives, saved their money, paid into the system, now will be targeted by a Labour Prime Minister.

“The triple lock has been a lifeline for millions of pensioners. It means, as we all know, the state pension will rise in line with wages, prices, or 2.5%, whichever is highest.

“And it has really protected, for many, many pensioners, their financial security.

“Scrap that, and you really pull the carpet from under the feet of many, many pensioners who really do struggle to make ends meet. And these are people who have played by the rules, who have worked hard.

“There are so many other options that he could look at. He could look at out-of-work benefits, which have spiralled out of control under this government and also the last government. He could look at international aid. He could look at net zero levies.

“There are huge areas where government spending is out of control, but no, he’s targeting pensioners because he thinks they’re all cash cows. That is unfair and it is wrong. And only Reform will stand against it.”

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has committed to the triple lock after the next general election.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said it is “current” Tory policy and in the “draft manifesto”.

Critics argue that it is unsustainable due to the state of Britain’s economy, but supporters argue it is needed to protect pensioners from increases in the cost of living.

Mr Burnham has rejected the suggestion that he was picking on pensioners with the triple lock change as “completely wrong”.

Speaking to GMB earlier this week, he said: “Please let me just make that point that people need to see these things in the round. It’s a better deal for older people going forward.”

The Daily Express is campaigning to defend the triple lock with our Save Our Pension Triple Lock crusade.