Andy Burnham, Labour’s MP for Makerfield and Prime Minister-in-waiting, has confirmed that state pensioners will receive £988 monthly payments starting next April. This pledge comes as part of his commitment to uphold the state pension triple lock if he becomes Prime Minister.
During a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, Burnham acknowledged the ongoing debate around the pledge but stressed the importance of honoring the manifesto promise. He explained that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) triple lock guarantees a minimum 2.5% increase in the full state pension next year.
This increase means the current weekly pension rate of £241 will rise to approximately £247, or nearly £988 per month, beginning in April 2024.
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In the same AMA, Burnham expressed his strong support for electoral reform, highlighting his belief that it would foster a politics centered more on collaboration and problem-solving rather than point-scoring. He committed to advocating within Labour for a future manifesto commitment to this cause.
On foreign policy, Burnham pledged unwavering support for Ukraine once he assumes office, following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation. He also expressed optimism about negotiating a more ambitious trade agreement with the European Union, building on the government’s existing progress.
Additionally, he promised to fully fund the defence investment plan, a significant commitment made shortly after the controversial blueprint led to the resignation of former Defence Secretary John Healey.
Burnham also criticized the growing trend of conducting interviews exclusively via Teams or Zoom, arguing that such formats do not allow young people to fully express their personality and passion.