Andy Burnham has announced the he will scrap the state pensions triple lock from 2030 to pay for social care reform.
Unveiling the move in his speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool, the prime minister said he would remove the link to average earnings to fund a new National Care Service — creating a so-called double lock.
He vowed that low-income pensioners would not be “dragged into paying income tax in this Parliament”.
It comes after Mr Burnham called an emergency cabinet meeting at the conference this morning, following suggestions he may use his address to scrap the state pension triple lock — an issue which is said to have caused a split in the party.
During his address, Mr Burnham also vowed to “draw a line on a decade of division”, warning that Britain “has been on the wrong path for long time”.
He announced that he will give councils the power to take over poor quality homes if landlords refuse to improve them.
The government will also end the ban on public ownership of water companies, paving the way for the nationalisation of firms that do not “serve the public interest”, the PM said.
Read MoreAndy Burnham to set out plans for social care in Labour Party conference speech
What is the state pension triple lock and how much would pensioners lose if its scrapped?
Burnham edges Labour closer to rejoining EU
Key Points
- Burnham confirms scrapping of pensions triple lock
- PM says Britain on 'wrong path' since Brexit
- 'You are not invisible to me', emotional Burnham tells care workers
- PM sets out plans to renationalise water
- Analysis: This is the first socialist speech by a Labour PM since the 1970s
‘That's the Britain that my dad represented’
15:08 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham speaks about his father Roy’s Alzheimer's, which meant that he was not able to appreciate his son’s rise to power fully.
He says he will govern in a way that makes his father proud as he fights back his emotions.
He says: “If only, if only he had been able to appreciate that moment of the family in Downing Street, the son of a man who failed his 11 plus becoming prime minister?
“The fact it could even happen in this country would not have been lost on him. He could have gone to university himself, but times were different then, so it wasn't an option. But he voted every time religiously for the Labour governments, which changed education, so his sons could do that.
“The United Kingdom, my dad represented, is the one I believe in-a union of nations that gave trade unions and the cooperative movement to the world, the National Health Service, a country that stood up to fascism, a country of solidarity, not separation.“That's the Britain that my dad represented.”
Emotional Burnham ‘determined to prove’ to Swinney he will not be last prime minister
15:04 , Athena StavrouAndy Burnham has grown emotional speaking about his father Roy, who passed away recently.
He referenced comments made by SNP leader John Swinney on the day his father passed away, when he declared Mr Burnham would be the final prime minister of a United Kingdom.
“On the day my dad died, the Scottish First Minister said I would be the last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,” he said.
“I quote that not to seek sympathy, nor to criticise John Swinney. I don't think he knew the news at the time.”
He said: “I relay it because I want you to know how it made me feel. Utterly determined to prove him wrong.”
Burnham receives standing ovation as he promises to change electoral system
14:58 , Millie CookeBurnham receives another standing ovation as he announces a national commission on electoral reform.
He called for a change in the way politics works, telling the audience it is "always in my mind that I am the seventh prime minister in ten years".
"We will all have failed in our public duties if we carry on as we are and we open the doors of No 10 to a divisive government with less than 30 per cent of the vote", he said, promising that Labour would: "contest the next election with a manifesto pledge to change the electoral system so everyone's vote counts and everyone's voice is heard."
Britain will lead AI revolution, Burnham says
14:57 , Athena StavrouAndy Burnham has told the Labour conference that he will put AI “centre stage” when the UK takes the presidency of the G20 next year.
He told members that he will secure Britain’s “prosperity, but also our safety”, by becoming a global leader in AI.
“We led the world's first industrial revolution from the Midlands and the North of England,” he said.
“So why can't we lead the next? We can conference, and we will.”
Watch: Burnham confirms changes to state pension triple lock to fund new National Care Service
14:55 , Tom Barnes‘Politicians have failed young people’, Burnham says
14:51 , Dan HaygarthSpeaking about young people and those out of work or education, Burnham says: “It’s not their fault, it’s ours.
“Politicians fail to give young people the support they need as they grow up.”
He says that Britain has a choice between investing in its young people or “paying the price of failure” through the welfare system.
“My choice is to invest in them”, he says.“We will change the education system and the education system. We will rebuild a system of comprehensive education in this country.
“With parity between academic and technical, with Lucy Powell leading the way.”
Analysis: End of the triple lock on pensions is ‘the pain barrier’
14:50 , David MaddoxThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox writes:
Andy Burnham has confirmed that he will scrap the triple lock on pensions to pay for a national care service.
Essentially he is replacing it with a double lock of the lower rate of inflation or 2.5 per cent.
He knows the political risk with this. The Tories and Reform will jump on the new policy and attack him. The next election could be fought over the value of the state pension.
But the prime minister has said he is “willing to pay a political price personally.”
We now know what he means by “going through the pain barrier” and “rip off the plaster.”
This is an admission that his policies do not come free but it also reflects the danger of making bold changes.
Burnham confirms scrapping of the triple lock
14:47 , Athena StavrouAndy Burnham has now confirmed reports that he will be scrapping the triple lock on pensions as it exists now.
He said he will honour Labour’s promise to keep it in place until the end of this parliament, but said from April 2030, it will be adjusted.
“The state pension will continue to rise every year, at least by prices or 2.5 percent, and it will hold its value relative to earnings over time, so that pensioners will always share in the rising prosperity of the nation,” he said.
“But this change will generate significant savings, which we will use to build up our national care service.”
Burnham unveils plan for national care service
14:42 , Athena StavrouAs laid out on Sunday, Andy Burnham is unveiling his plans for a national care service to the Labour Party conference.
The prime minister said there is “only one real answer” to solve the country’s current care crisis.
“A person-centred, high-quality care service that starts in the home,” he said.
“A system in the best traditions of this party, where everyone contributes and everyone is covered, free at the point of use, and no care charges paid out of your basic state pension.”
He said: “This is the national care service we will build.
”The government will begin preparing for the national care service before introducing it in the next parliament.
“I won't pretend some of this won't be difficult,” he said. "I accept I may pay a political price. But someone has to go through the pain barrier and rip the plaster off.”
'You are not invisible to me', emotional Burnham tells care workers
14:40 , Millie CookeAndy Burnham is showing real emotion and anger as he talks about the care system in Britain, telling the care workers who looked after his late father: "You are not invisible to me".
The prime minister, who lost his father just weeks ago, received a standing ovation after telling the conference: "I watched closely the people who looked after my dad.
“Caring for other people's parents on poverty pay. But doing it with huge skill, humour and humanity.
“Holding a threadbare system somehow together, yet invisible to the political class of this country."
Speaking directly to care workers, he said: "You are not invisible to me. I see you, I thank you and I am sorry that my profession has let down yours for so long."
‘I have to be honest about what the country can afford’
14:36 , Athena StavrouAndy Burnham has told Labour members that he has to be “honest about what the country can afford” after outlining a series of his cost of living reforms.
“I would love to go quicker, but I have to be honest about what the country can afford,” he said.
“I will stick to our fiscal rules to get borrowing and debt down. The approach I am outlining today is the responsible one.”
He added: “If we change the way we support people, we will get more people into work and the welfare bill down. Not through crude cuts. That should never be the Labour way.”
Third standing ovation for Burnham signals sheer enthusiasm for new PM
14:35 , Millie CookeAndy Burnham receives his third standing ovation as he mentions his plan to slash VAT off energy bills this winter.
The move signals the level of enthusiasm in the room, with even the prime minister himself saying he "didn't expect a standing ovation" for that one, given it had already been announced weeks before.
Burnham announces Great British Grid and pledges to ‘get bills down’
14:33 , Dan HaygarthBurnham says he will “get bills down”, noting that the UK pays the highest energy bills in Europe.
He announces Great British Grid, a branch of the government’s state-owned Great British Energy.
The prime minister says it will challenge the private sector to bring bills down.
He says his government will be "reforming a broken energy market so it better serves the public interest”, and that he has tasked Miatta Fahnbulleh, secretary of state for energy, to ensure that Britain has greater control over energy costs.
Analysis: This is the first socialist speech by a Labour PM since the 1970s
14:32 , Tom BarnesThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox writes:
Andy Burnham is not playing around here. He is the first sitting Labour prime minister to lay out a socialist agenda since the 1970s.
His plan to allow councils to buy unused private properties and to force landlords to sell represents a dramatic change in the prevailing policies since Margaret Thatcher.
He is coming after privatised water and is making the case for renationalisation on a scale which has not truly been argued since the 1960s.
When Mr Burnham said that Britain had been going in the wrong direction for 40 years it turns out he really meant it and now he is laying out the immediate plans to reverse the Thatcher revolution.
Burnham receives second standing ovation as he sets out plans to renationalise water
14:28 , Millie CookeAndy Burnham has taken aim at water companies, announcing to conference that a stronger Water Bill will see the repeal of a ban on public ownership of water companies.
He declared the water industry as a “symbol of what has gone wrong with Britain”, where “the shareholders never lose and the public never win”.
“I will not allow it to continue like this,” he said. “Today can confirm Angela Eagle will present a strengthened Water Bill to parliament.
The centrepiece of that bill will be this: the repeal of Margaret Thatcher's ideological ban on public ownership of water companies.”
The prime minister could barely be heard over the sound of the applause echoing throughout the hall, as the entire audience stood up from their seats.
Leasehold reform bill before Christmas, Burnham confirms
14:27 , Dan HaygarthAndy Burnham says Labour will introduce a bill before Christmas on “long overdue” leasehold reform.
Angela Rayner said earlier that the government will legislate for an independent regulator which will hold estate, letting, and property management agents to account.
The Housing secretary said she is “taking every action to empower people in their own homes”.
Mr Burnham said: “You have my word, the days of you being squeezed for every penny are coming to an end”.
PM hands out powers for councils to bring empty homes under public ownership
14:24 , Athena StavrouAndy Burnham has been unveiling a series of reforms for council housing, and taking action in the private rental sector.
He said councils will be handed powers to take control of empty homes and bring them back into public ownership.
“Go to almost any town across Britain, and you will see plenty of empty homes,” he said.
“We will give councils the power to take control of them and bring them back into the public housing stock.”
He added: “We will help councils build again and make it affordable by building on unused public land. We will reform right to buy, not taking the right away from anyone in an existing home, but removing it from the new homes we build, so they are there for generations to come.”
Analysis: Burnham's stark assessment of Britain is still more optimistic than Starmer ever was
14:21 , Millie CookeThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke writes:
Andy Burnham has offered a stark assessment of the state of Britain.
Warning that Britain has "been on the wrong path for a long time", the new prime minister's warnings were similar in weight to those issued by Sir Keir Starmer when he gave his famously pessimistic rose-garden speech at the start of his premiership.
But, unlike his predecessor, Mr Burnham's strength as a public speaker means that he is managing to do so with a level of optimism and hope that Starmer never managed.
Burnham blames Brexit for immigration challenges
14:19 , Athena StavrouThe prime minister has once again raised the fallout of Brexit as a major reason for issues facing Britain today.
Andy Burnham blamed the right for “giving away” control of the country during their years in power.
“The British right talk about taking back control. Never let them forget. They are the ones that gave it away in the first place,” he said.
“Economic control diminished by selling off essentials. Political control corroded by the hollowing out of councils. Immigration control weakened by Brexit.”
Britain been ‘on the wrong path’ since Brexit, Burnham says
14:18 , Athena StavrouAndy Burnham has declared that Britain has been “on the wrong path” for many years, as he said Brexit had seen “too many places left to drift”.
“Britain has been on the wrong path for a long time,” he told the conference on Tuesday.
“Deindustrialisation, deregulation, privatisation, austerity, Brexit, and what has it given us?
“A country run for vested interest, not in the public interest, with power held in too few hands and too many places left to drift.
“I am ready to do things my predecessors wouldn't. I will make a break with the direction of the past 40 years, and put Britain on a new path, build a new economy and a new politics.”
Analysis: Brexit is on Burnham’s mind
14:15 , David MaddoxThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox writes:
The prime minister’s desire to draw a line on a decade of division is a direct reference to his criticism of Brexit.
But not just that he also wants people to feel “the country has their back again.”
While not using the B-word he is reflecting on the analysis that Brexit happened because people felt that the authorities were not on their side.
It is very much in the theme of his “more of the same is not good enough” and why he wants to “break the mould.”
Burnham pays tribute to Starmer
14:14 , Athena StavrouAndy Burnham has paid tribute to his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer as he makes his first speech at Labour’s conference as prime minister.
Mr Burnham ousted Sir Keir from office over the summer, after winning a crucial by-election in Makerfield.
On Tuesday, the new prime minister told members: “For the historic victory he achieved for us. I'm here to say thank you, Keir.
“And to say thank you to the whole of this conference and to all of you for the backing that you have given me.”
The tribute was met with a round of applause from members in the audience.
Analysis: Cult of Burnham front and centre at Labour conference
14:12 , Millie CookeThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke writes:
The cult of Andy Burnham is front and centre at the Labour conference in Liverpool as the prime minister gears up to address the main stage.
Unlike Sir Keir Starmer - whose brand was largely about his vision for the party - the messaging in a video before Mr Burnham arrived was all about him as an individual.
Introducing him, was one of his former constituents, speaking about the role the new PM played in helping get her back from Libya where she was kidnapped by her father.
While there is no doubt pressure on Mr Burnham to move on from his image as a politician who runs purely off "vibes" rather than policy, its clear that he is still relying heavily on his own charisma.
Burnham says ‘life truly has come full circle’ as he speaks at Liverpool Labour conference
14:10 , Athena StavrouThe prime minister has opened his speech by speaking about his upbringing in Liverpool an paying tribute to his parents.
Speaking to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, he told members: “For me, life truly has come full circle because this is where my story began. My grandad drove a lorry along these docks for Tate and Lyle.
“My grandma, Kitty, inherited the drive of her Irish ancestors. She walked three miles out of the bombed-out city after the war to put a deposit down on her house.”
Speaking about his parents, he said: “Eileen and Roy gave me a care for people forged by her faith, his politics, and the values of this great city we are in again for our conference - they guided me to the point where I stand before you today.”
Analysis: The mood could not be more different from a year ago
14:09 , David MaddoxThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox writes:
As Andy Burnham came out to the song “altogether now” the applause and warmth of reception was the sort of thing that his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer could have only dreamt of.
There was no nervousness about the man coming out on the stage just a palpable sense of relief.
Mr Burnham looked confident and relaxed, again in contrast to his predecessor.This is why he feels he can "draw a line under a decade of division.”
Burnham begins major speech
14:06 , Athena StavrouAndy Burnham has taken to the stage as he delivers his major speech at the Labour Party conference.
The prime minister was met with a massive round of applause and a standing ovation before telling the audience: “All together now that’s my rallying call to the country today. When we pull as one there is nothing we cannot do.”
Reports today suggest Mr Burnham will commit to scrapping the triple lock, as well as reforming social care and acting to tackle youth unemployment.
Andy Burnham arrives on stage
14:05 , Tom BarnesThe prime minister has taken to the stage at the Labour party conference in Liverpool. We’ll be bringing you live updates from his speech.
Burnham to take to the stage as major speech threatens to divide members over triple lock reports
13:46 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou writes:
It’s 15 minutes to go until Andy Burnham delivers his first speech as prime minister at the Labour Party conference.
Long queues have formed all the way to the back of the exhibition hall outside the main arena, as members try to secure a seat to watch the major speech.
But reports today suggesting the prime minister could commit to scrapping the triple lock on pensions are threatening to divide the party.
Some members will be pleased to see Mr Burnham, who has been criticised for handing out too much in his first weeks as prime minister, is committed to taking tough decisions in order to fulfil his promises.
But others will be concerned the move could put pensioners at risk of poverty and alienate part of Labour’s voter base, with Sharon Graham, the general secretary of the Unite union, calling it “electoral suicide” and “morally wrong”.
Cabinet told PM will be making 'dramatic' announcements
13:25 , David MaddoxThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox writes:
The Independent has been told Andy Burnham will be "making dramatic announcements" in his conference speech at 2pm.
Mr Burnham surprised ministers by holding an extraordinary cabinet meeting this morning to go through his speech.
"He did not just want us sitting there thinking 'oh my goodness he has said something big there'," one minister said.
"He is going to make some big and dramatic announcements. This is not going to be a normal leader's speech "
A cabinet minister said: "This a PM with a political agenda who is not afraid to make the big calls "
They added: "He gathered us because he does not see his cabinet as an inconvenience and thought he needed to let us know which direction he wants to take this country and what he will be saying."
'We have to look at state pension', minister says
13:18 , Tom BarnesWales secretary Stephen Kinnock has said the government “has to look at the role of the station pension”.
It comes amid reports Andy Burnham is considering ending the state pension triple lock in order to fund reforms to social care.
Mr Kinnock told the BBC’s Politics Live programme that UK’s finances: “are in a very very difficult position.”
"We have got to look at the role of the state pension in that alongside things like the welfare bill,” he added.
Every policy pledge Burnham has made since becoming prime minister
12:53 , Tom BarnesLittle more than two months after becoming prime minister, Andy Burnham will deliver his first speech at the Labour conference as the party’s leader later this afternoon.
The start of the former Manchester mayor’s premiership has been marked by a flurry of policy announcements, as he looks to show a clear departure from his predecessor.
You can read every police pledge the prime minister has made so far here:
Every policy pledge Andy Burnham has made since becoming prime minister
Creasy urges the left to 'join the dots' on immigration
12:40 , Millie CookeStella Creasy has urged the left to "join the dots" on immigration, warning that cuts to international aid are fuelling the problem.
"I want to stop the boats. I don't want anyone to suggest anything else", she said. "But to stop the boats, it's often necessary to stop the conflict."
Ms Creasy said she is "concerned about wide-scale cuts in funding, for example international aid", continuing: "On the left, we need to do the joint dots.
"If you think about national security, there's a reason why China is investing heavily in international aid."
Rejoining EU would require a referendum, Hilary Benn says
12:34 , Athena StavrouFormer Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn has told a fringe event that rejoining the EU would require another referendum.
When asked whether he would support Labour including a pledge to rejoin in their next manifesto, he said: “My personal view is rejoining would need a referendum.”
There has been much speculation about Labour’s approach to the EU in their next general election manifesto throughout the conference.
Yesterday, senior Labour backbencher Stella Creasy, chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, called for the party to put a “clear commitment” in its next general election manifesto for the government to “negotiate what rejoining [the European Union] looks like”.
Rayner unveils new powers to tackle homelessness
11:58 , Athena StavrouThe housing minister has just unveiled more powers for local leaders to tackle homelessness.
Ending rough sleeping has been a major policy commitment from Andy Burnham, who has pledged to end it by Christmas.
Angela Rayner told the Labour Party conference that local leaders will be handed more powers to “ensure that they have the homes that their communities need”.
“Our councils will be able to refer local homeless households to other social housing providers to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation,” she said.
She also said it will stop social homes from being lost when providers sell them by making it easier for councils to buy them.
Ms Rayner added that Labour will introduce a new duty on public services to work together to provide a “wraparound support to prevent homelessness before families reach crisis point”.
Rayner attacks Farage and his: 'crypto-billionaire sugar daddies'
11:55 , Tom BarnesAngela Rayner has told the Labour party conference that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage isn't standing up to “vested interests”.
The Reform party leader has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks over a £5 million gift from crypto billionaire party donor Christopher Harborne.
She asks if Mr Farage’s: “Crypto billionaire sugar daddies are giving him millions because he's standing up for the working people of Britain?”
“Give me a break,” she adds.
Referencing the Reform leader’s Cameo page, where users could pay for a personal message from him, she asks: "If he will sing you a happy birthday song for 70 quid, what would he do for 70 million?"
We wouldn't be in government without you, Rayner tells party members
11:42 , Tom BarnesAngela Rayner has started her speech at the Labour conference.
She acknowledged support she received from Labour members during her time out of government.
The housing and communities minister was met with huge applause and a standing ovation as she took to the podium.
She resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet in September last year amid questions over her tax affairs, before being brought back into government by Andy Burnham.
Speaking at the Labour Party conference on Tuesday, she said: “Your work got us into government. We wouldn't be here without you, and I certainly wouldn't be here without you.”She added:
“The support received from so many people here over the last year has meant so much to me.”
Angela Rayner to speak at Labour Conference shortly
11:34 , Tom BarnesUp next on the Labour conference stage, it’s Angela Rayner.
The housing secretary is due to speak to delegates in Liverpool at around 11:40am.
Ms Rayner has already been speaking to media this morning, and earlier said she thought Andy Burnham was “brave”, as he reportedly considers ending the state pension triple lock to fund his ambitious social care plans.
Blair's former political adviser accuses Starmer of being 'adjacent-racist' on immigration
11:24 , Athena StavrouTony Blair's former political adviser has accused Sir Keir Starmer's government of trying to attract right wing voters by being "adjacent-racist" on the issue of immigration.
Speaking at an event on the fringes of the Labour Party Conference hosted by the Refugee Council, John McTernan said that he believes Sir Keir "didn't realise" that he was echoing Enoch Powell in a major speech on immigration.
But he also said the "political strategy at that time was to attract right wing values voters by, I believe, being adjacent racist."
Members flock to main hall ahead of Andy Burnham’s major speech
11:23 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political reporter, Athena Stavrou, writes from the conference hall floor in Liverpool:
It’s the last full day of Labour’s annual party conference, and the main hall is already well attended hours before Andy Burnham’s speech.
Members are currently debating a Women in Politics motion, before Angela Rayner is expected to take the stage.
Later, the prime minister will deliver his major speech in a hall which will completely packed out.
Burnham 'brave' to consider scrapping triple lock, Rayner says
11:14 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham is “absolutely right” to start a conversation around ending the state pension triple lock, Angela Rayner has said.
The housing secretary said the prime minister was “brave” to consider the controversial move, which is reportedly on the table as an option to fund his social care plans.
She told Sky News: "I think he's absolutely right to start the conversation.
"We've got a prime minister who said, I'm I am okay with burning through all my political capital to the point where it might finish me off, on the basis of my legacy will be something better and different."
Emergency cabinet meeting called before Burnham’s big speech
11:00 , Tom BarnesThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox writes:
Andy Burnham has called a meeting of the “political cabinet” at the Labour conference ahead of his big speech at 2pm.
The unusual move comes amid reports that Mr Burnham is looking at scrapping the triple lock to help fund social care with suggestions he could outline details in his speech.
The meeting is overshadowed by a YouGov poll which has seen support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK leapfrog Labour, jumping up four points to 25 per cent.
With concerns that the Burnham bounce appears to have come to an end, the prime minister is understood to be planning to talk through the details of his first conference speech as prime minister.
It is already being billed as the most important speech of his political career.
Reform jump back into first place in shock for Burnham ahead of speech
10:45 , David MaddoxThe Independent’s political editor, David Maddox, writes:
Andy Burnham has been hit by a shock poll just hours before he gives his first big speech as party leader and prime minister.
YouGov has tracked support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK going up four points to 25 per cent a point ahead of Labour on 24 per cent, also up one point.
The Tories are down two points on 19 per cent.But the poll shows the fragility of the Burnham bounce despite recent problems for Reform over donations.
Situation in Drumcree 'tense', says Bryant
10:23 , Tom BarnesThe situation in Drumcree is “tense”, Sir Chris Bryant has said, as he called for everyone in Northern Ireland to “double down on compromise”.
During his speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, the Northern Ireland Secretary addressed the continued negotiations to find a resolution to the Orange Order parade dispute.
He said: “The situation in Drumcree is tense and this Government, like every Labour government, will always go the extra mile for peace.
“That’s precisely what I’ll be doing this afternoon: bringing both sides together, talking to everyone, bridging sectarian divides, and giving compromise a chance.
“Because nobody, nobody, nobody wants Northern Ireland to return to the 1990s.
“That’s not going to be easy, as the last few days have shown. It’s really easy to stir up a grievance, much harder to calm it down.
“Which is why I appeal to everyone: believe in Northern Ireland and double down on compromise.”
Sir Chris also said he would not be staying at the conference to hear Andy Burnham’s speech on Tuesday afternoon, and would instead be returning to Northern Ireland.
The Drumcree parading dispute, which was associated with violent disorder during the Troubles, has been reignited after the Parades Commission granted permission for a limited parade down the Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost 30 years.
Labour conference underway
10:19 , Tom BarnesSpeeches are now underway on the third day of the Labour party conference.
Northern Ireland secretary Chris Bryant is currently addressing delegates on the stage.
Labour ministers arrive at conference on Tuesday
09:31 , Tom BarnesHousing secretary Angela Rayner and culture secretary Lisa Nandy are among the Labour frontbenchers who have arrived at the venue ahead of Andy Burnham’s conference speech later today.
'We can't carry on as we are', says Burnham ahead of conference speech
09:18 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham has said the UK cannot carry on ‘as we are’, ahead of his first speech as Labour leader at the party’s conference later today.
The prime minister is expected to lay out a broad plan for his national care service, details on defence spending, and to announce plans to set up a new publicly owned “Great British Grid” in a bid to bring UK energy costs down.
Writing on social media, Mr Burnham said: “We can't carry on as we are.
“Politics as usual has taken Britain backwards, and more of the same won't get us where we need to be.
“Today, I'll set out a different path for our country. That means having an honest conversation about the things we've ignored for too long, from fixing social care and tackling youth unemployment to giving people more control over energy, water and housing.
“Hope comes from honesty.”
We can't carry on as we are.
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) September 29, 2026
Politics as usual has taken Britain backwards, and more of the same won't get us where we need to be.
Today, I'll set out a different path for our country.
That means having an honest conversation about the things we've ignored for too long, from…
Labour's social care plans will be in next manifesto, deputy leader says
08:47 , Tom BarnesLabour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell said the party’s social care proposals “will be on our next manifesto” following a “national conversation” after Baroness Casey’s review.
It comes amid reports that Andy Burnham could look to scrap the state pension triple lock in order to fund a new social care system.
Ms Powell, who is also the education secretary, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Andy Burnham “wants to build consensus”.
She added: “Andy wants to meet this big moment.
“Just to be really clear on social care, we’ve got the Louise Casey review coming in next summer. This is a complex issue, she’s going to be putting forward recommendations.
“We’re then going to have a big national conversation. Hopefully get cross party consensus about that.
“Everybody, (Unite union leader) Sharon Graham, everybody in the Labour Party, as well as across party, to have a long-term solution to social care.
“And then it will be for our next manifesto that those proposals, will be on our next manifesto.”
What time is Andy Burnham's Labour conference speech?
08:35 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham is set to speak to delegates at the Labour conference in Liverpool at around 2pm this afternoon. Here is a rundown of the major speeches taking place at conference today:
- 10:15am: Northern Ireland secretary Sir Chris Bryant;
- 10:25am: East Midlands mayor Claire Ward
- 11:40am: Housing, communities and local government secretary Angela Rayner
- 2pm: Prime minister Andy Burnham
Reforming triple lock 'electoral suicide', union leader says
08:14 , Tom BarnesThe leader of trade union Unite said reforming the pensions triple lock to fund social care would be “morally wrong”.
Asked about her previous comments describing scrapping the lock as “electoral suicide”, Sharon Graham told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Instead of going and trying to pick the pocket of pensioners, we need to move over to the other side of the equation and look at things like wealth taxes, way before we try to stop something like the triple lock.
“It’s wrong, and to be fair to Andy, he hasn’t said that.”
The Unite general secretary added: “When we met with Andy this week, it certainly wasn’t mentioned.
“But I do think that it’s important that Labour make sure that working-class people know that they’re on their side, and this would be a direction of travel that would say the opposite to that.”
Asked whether the lock should be reformed to fund social care, Ms Graham said: “What I understood the National Care Service to be was a universal benefit: everybody paid in and everybody gets out, and that is what actually the principle of that is.
“Going to a group of people who are getting around £12,500 a year in order to pay for it to take away their security is wrong. I think it’s morally wrong.”
What is the state pension triple lock?
08:06 , Tom BarnesThe pension triple lock is reportedly under threat as Andy Burnham considers ways he can fund a new national care service.
The prime minister said “nothing was off the table” to pay for his ambitious new social care system, prompting fresh calls to end the Conservative-era pensions mechanism.
The policy guarantee ensures the state pension increases every year to keep up with rising costs and other financial pressures. The rate increases year-on-year by whichever is highest: inflation, average earnings, or 2.5 per cent.
Read more:
What is the pension triple lock and how much would pensioners lose if its scrapped?
Labour deputy leader refuses to say to say if triple lock could be scrapped
07:50 , Tom BarnesLabour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell has refused to say whether the triple lock could be dropped by the party amid discussions over how Andy Burnham’s social care plans could be funded.
Ms Powell, who is also the education secretary, said the party was committed to the triple lock – the mechanism which decides how much the state pension rises by – and referenced its inclusion in the party’s 2024 manifesto.
However, despite being pressed on it by broadcasters, she would not say whether Mr Burnham and chancellor John Healey are considering ending the policy.
Ms Powell told Sky News: “We are committed to the triple lock. It’s in our manifesto. The triple lock has has really delivered for pensioners, in this country, over the course of this Parliament.
“I think we’re going to see (the) state pension rising by about £2,000-a-year significantly, and that’s really important, so pensioners watching your show today can know that their income is secure and will continue to rise over the course of this Parliament.
“I don’t know what Andy’s going to say about that today, but I know that what he’s talking about is this big conversation about solving these big problems, but being really honest with people that they they come at a cost.
“They do come at a cost. You can’t just solve the social care crisis without having the big conversations about how you’re going to do this.”
PM to set out plans for social care in Labour Party conference speech
07:35 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham is expected to say he will confront subjects politicians "usually avoid" as he sets out his agenda as Labour prime minister at the party conference in Liverpool this afternoon.
Delivering his inaugural address to the Labour Party conference as leader on Tuesday, the prime minister will use the speech to establish a "clear direction" for the country, promising "less drift and more direction".
But with ministers briefing to The Independent that he is planning a major rethink on Brexit after a decade of “drift and division” and reports that he plans to ditch the triple lock guarantee on minimum state pension rises to help fund his social care reform, Mr Burnham appears to be gearing up to face some of the UK’s most difficult issues.
Read more:
Andy Burnham to set out plans for social care in Labour Party conference speech
Burnham edges Labour closer to rejoining EU
07:31 , Tom BarnesAndy Burnham is expected to edge Labour closer to rejoining the EU during his first address to Labour Party conference as prime minister.
Ministers have told The Independent that it is now a question of how much he emphasises the UK’s return to Europe, rather than if.
There is growing optimism that a way back into the EU could be put to voters at the next election after the prime minister and senior ministers made it clear they believe Brexit has been a failure at this year's party conference.
One senior minister told The Independent that “the mood has completely changed on this subject.”They added: “There is a lot of momentum around rejoining again.
The economic data is there and we are feeling more relaxed about talking about Brexit as being a failure.”
Read more:
Burnham edges Labour closer to rejoining EU
What is happening at Labour conference on Tuesday?
07:30 , Tom BarnesLabour conference continues on Tuesday, when the leader of the party - and the country - will take to the stage.
Andy Burnham will set out his vision for the country in his keynote speech, in which he is expected to address his national care service plans, defence, and how he intends to tackle rising energy costs.
He has pledged to hold an “honest conversation” about tough issues, criticising the centralisation of power in the hands of “vested interests” and promising a break from the “flawed thinking of the last 40 years”.
He will say: “We can’t carry on as we are. Politics-as-usual has taken Britain backwards. More of the same isn’t good enough and isn’t going to get us where we need to be.”
What happened at Labour conference yesterday?
07:29 , Tom BarnesThe Labour Party conference heard from two of the country's top politicians on Monday as they delivered speeches on their key policies on two of the country's thorniest issues - the economy and immigration.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the reopening of a scheme to resettle refugees in the UK, telling the country it must live up to its “international obligations”.
She said most refugees admitted under the new UK resettlement scheme will be referred through the UN refugee agency UNHCR, with Palestinians coming through the International Refugee Assistance Project (Irap).
They will then be put on a five-year path to permanent settlement.“I know the British people have not given up on their belief that we should be compassionate, live up to our international obligations, and save the lives of those fleeing war and persecution," she said.
Chancellor John Healey also addressed welfare reform as he focused on the Neet crisis.Neets are young people not in employment, education, or training.
There are around one million Neets in the country at the moment.Mr Healey said he would “help this generation move from generation jeopardy to generation hope”.
