Kemi Badenoch warns of 'difficult' triple lock commitment if Labour scraps policy

Kemi Badenoch warns of 'difficult' triple lock commitment if Labour scraps policy Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warns it would be hard to reverse Andy Burnham's state pension triple lock scrap if funds are spent. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Aaron Newbury , Political Correspondent 08:50, Tue, Oct 6, 2026 Updated: 09:18, Tue, Oct 6, 2026 Badenoch declined to commit to repealing the scrapping of the triple lock (Image: Getty) Kemi Badenoch has revealed her party would find it hard to commit to bringing back the triple lock when Andy Burnham scraps it. It comes after Mr Burnham used his conference speech to announce he would change the pension income protection to help fund a national care service. The triple lock ensures the State Pension is increased by wages, inflation, or 2.5%, whichever is highest. Abolition of the triple lock sparked warnings from campaigners that pensioners would face increased poverty and tighter purse strings. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Conservative MPs have long backed the triple lock, yet speaking to Times Radio at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, the Tory leader declined to commit to bringing it back. Mrs Badenoch declined to commit to repealing any legislation scrapping the triple lock in its current form, but insisted keeping the measure was party policy. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . She said: “I have said that the triple lock is our policy, and it remains our policy. I don’t think going after pensioners is the right thing when there are loads of people who can work, who won’t work.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT She added: “When we are going to reverse Labour’s policies, I say we are going to reverse their policies. I have said that we are keeping this policy, but if they take that money and they spend it on something that we can’t get it back from, then it would be difficult for me. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Author and former politician Jeffrey Archer dies aged 86 Kemi Badenoch admits Tories may not bring back triple lock if scrapped (Image: Getty) “What I’m not going to do is lie to your listeners just so I can get votes. I tell the truth, and I say the triple lock is our policy and we’re keeping it. “But what I’m not going to do is to say something when I don’t know what the situation would be about what Labour has done with that money. We have to be very careful.” Reform UK’s Nigel Farage said yesterday that his party was the “only” one committed to protecting the triple lock and reversing any changes made by Mr Burnham. Kemi Badenoch Triple lock Andy Burnham Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments