Andy Burnham speech - live: Tearful PM's historic address - pension triple lock changes and huge electoral reform

Andy Burnham speech - live: Tearful PM's historic address - pension triple lock changes and huge electoral reform Andy Burnham has given a ground-breaking speech at the Labour Party Conference, with numerous 'rabbits out of the hat' - including changes to the triple lock pension, electoral reform, and a repeal of the public water ownership ban Andy Burnham has given the most important speech of his premiership so far, featuring a number of huge announcements. The Prime Minister addressed the Labour Party conference, pledging to tackle issues that politicians "usually avoid". He announced a major review of the triple lock pension scheme, and he would be repealing the ban on public water ownership. He also fleshed out his plans to finally tackle the UK's social care crisis - but will acknowledge this will involve making tough choices. The Mirror will be bringing you all of the latest news, reaction and analysis as it happens. Key Events Martin Lewis warns "poorest pensions still miss out on what they're entitled to" Founder of Save British Farming praises Burnham's speech Piers Morgan says "Burnham could be a transformative Prime Minister" Burnham's triple lock announcement dominates front pages today Andy Burnham's announcement in his speech to the Labour Party conference that he plans to "adjust" the pensions triple lock from 2030 dominates the front pages today. PM's spokesperson won't draw Burnham into EU membership debate The question of the UK re-joining the EU has been swerved by the Prime Minister's official spokesperson, who declined to say whether it is an option on the table at present. The spokesperson would not draw Burnham into the question when asked by the BBC, refusing to disclose any options, or open up on how the Prime Minister would measure the consensus of the UK's future relationship with the bloc. They did, however, tell the broadcaster that the "red lines" in place from the 2024 manifesto - which included a pledge not to return to the single market, customs union, or freedom of movement - remain. 'There is an option that could involve rejoining the EU in some form' minister says Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, has said the door to rejoining the EU is being left open by Andy Burnham. She told Sky's Cathy Newman the PM was "opening the door to a whole series of options, and it is for this country to come together and decide which of those they want to choose". She added: "There is an option, of course, a path ahead of us that could involve rejoining the EU in some form. But there are also options that could involve just a much closer relationship with a better deal than the one that we've had previously." 'We're looking for a revolution' Baroness Casey says after care announcement Baroness Louise Casey, the top figure who is currently conducting a review of social care, has said the sector needs a "revolution". Speaking to Sky News' Cathy Newman, she said: "We're kind of looking for a revolution, really, in social care and in the National Health Service. "And I think to me, I think what Andy Burnham said today sounds pretty radical and sounds like a really big change, and I'm delighted by it, frankly." Community union chief hails Burnham's approach as social care system in 'dire' situation Roy Rickhuss CBE, the General Secretary of Community Union, is the latest union boss to hail the Prime Minister's plans, saying the approach would provide "peace of mind". He said: "As a union representing thousands of adult social care workers, we've seen the state of our social care system, and it is dire. A generation of politicians have failed to tackle this issue and make the necessary bold changes to fix it. “The Prime Minister's new approach for older people - which protects a State Pension that rises each year alongside a National Care Service - will finally be able to give everyone peace of mind in later life through the provision of free personal care. However, we can only pay for this bold and needed new direction for social care by reforming the State Pension triple lock. “The Prime Minister has laid out a plan that can make people hope again through a social care system that works for both vulnerable people and carers. “We look forward to working with the Government to deliver these reforms and build a National Care Service that will have a hugely positive effect on our members" Wes Streeting says he feels 'completely vindicated' for choosing Burnham Wes Streeting has said following Burnham's speech this afternoon that he feels "completely vindicated" for picking the now-PM as Labour leader. Burnham a 'transparently good human being' LBC presenter James Hanson is among those who have been swayed by the PM's words this afternoon, saying in a post on X that, while the two disagree politically, Burnham came across a "transparently good human being". How party leaders reacted to Burnham's speech As with any conference keynote speech, Burnham's address today has been immediately critiqued by his rivals across the political spectrum. The Tories, Reform, Liberal Democrat and Greens - who were all unusually not mentioned during the PM's speech - have all put out their own statements. Nigel Farage, whose Reform Party has suffered in the polls due in no small part to the "Burnham Bounce" has claimed the PM is "desperate to pick a fight with pensioners" and called for him to hold a General election. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the proposal "is already falling apart under scrutiny" and "won’t generate enough savings to fund a nationalised care system for another two decades". The Government has promised the proposal is fully costed by the Treasury, with more details to come. Green Party leader Zack Polanski summed up the speech as full of "half measures, reannouncements and tinkering". And Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the care sector was "too urgent to leave", adding he was "disappointed" by the PM. Pension triple lock changes explained as Burnham uses speech to outline change Andy Burnham has grasped the nettle and announced a future Labour government would end the state pension triple lock. To recap, the triple lock - introduced in 2010 - promised that the pension would rise every April by whichever was highest out of inflation, 2.5% of average earnings. However, the pledge has proven far more expensive to maintain than expected, with the government set to spend £154billion this year on the state pension. This April saw the state pension increase by 4.8%, as it was in line with average earnings. The full rate rose from £230.25 to £241.30 a week, while the full basic state pension increased from £176.45 to £184.90 a week. 'Andy Burnham is man who has stared into abyss and thought better to die trying' The great orator President Obama liked to call out the differences between Wall Street and Main Street in his speeches. For Andy Burnham’s first Labour conference speech as Prime Minister, every moment was rooted in Keble Drive, Old Roan, on Merseyside. How wouldn’t it be? Not only because the house the Prime Minister was born in stands just eight miles from where he was making the speech in Liverpool. But because he lost his father only two weeks ago. The PM’s often emotional speech, was full of Roy Burnham – and grandma Kitty too. Roy was there not just in his determination to fix the system for working class people, or his defining pledge to create a National Care Service – but in the sense of urgency people feel in bereavement, the sudden understanding that it’s later than we think. Triple-lock tradeoff for social care a 'very attractive argument' work and pensions minister says Changes to the state pension triple-lock to pay for social care will be a “very attractive argument”, Sir Stephen Timms has said. Following Andy Burnham’s conference speech, the work and pensions minister told the Press Association: “Change on the triple-lock is what can unlock the changes to social care that everybody can see that we need. I think that’s a compelling argument, which I think a lot of people will feel is a very attractive argument. “I don’t think there was ever a belief that the triple-lock would carry on forever. “So as Andy said, you know, we will see it through to 2030. Then we’ll make some changes, and that will enable us to do some other things that older people and also working-age people desperately need to be done. “And I think coming up with a way not only of doing this, but of paying for it, is a great contribution. So I feel hopeful.” He added: “It does have to be done, and I think everybody actually would recognise it does have to be done. “They may not agree with the the mechanism for doing it, but I think everybody would agree that it does have to be done.” 7 key points from PM's major speech - from pension triple lock to voting reform Andy Burnham set out his plan to transform Britain today in his first major address to Labour's conference since winning the keys to No10. The Prime Minister vowed to overturn a series of Thatcher-era reforms - giving the public greater control over housing, water and energy. He told Labour delegates gathered in Liverpool on Tuesday: "This country isn't where any of us would want it to be." Among the most eye-catching of proposals, Mr Burnham outlined bold plans to reform the state pension triple lock in order to raise billions to pay for a proposal to overhaul the broken social care system. Kevin Maguire: 'Burnham is a fearless PM who wants nobody to be in doubt about what he wants' Brother Burnham, Red Andy, promising a sharp Left turn is the audacity of British hope. The country he wishes to rise again would radically improve the lives of millions kept behind. On housing, water, energy and transport he forcefully argued that taking back control by reversing failed sales of the family silver are popular and in the public interest. Jeremy Corbyn might’ve nodded in approval if he was still in the Labour Party. Tony Blair was probably shaking his in disbelief. Burnham certainly doesn’t lack ambition or courage, even telling the truth about a bad Brexit predecessor Keir Starmer in No 10 largely preferred ignoring to avoid punching old bruises. Unite boss criticises Burnham for not 'going for the super rich' Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite said the Prime Minister had set out a very good vision for the country, addressing issues which had been ignored for too long. But she said “pulling a lever” on the pension triple lock was wrong. “Going to the well of pensioners before going for the super rich is wrong.” Ms Graham said she would give the Prime Minister eight and a half out of 10 for his speech. Watch: Conference-goers react to PM's speech Unison calls on PM to go further with water pledge Unison has called on the PM to go further with his plans for British water after celebrating his "positive" move today. The union's general secretary Andrea Egan said: “Repealing the public ownership ban on water is a positive move, but the Prime Minister needs to go further and bring water back into full public ownership. “It will be good to hear more about how he plans to tip the balance back in favour of ordinary people and make those with the deepest pockets pay their fair share. “It’s time to look seriously at things such as a wealth tax and raising the surcharge on banking profits, instead of people’s pensions.” UK gilts see little movement following Burnham speech UK gilts were little moved after Andy Burnham announced plans to axe the state pension triple lock and for new laws that will lead the way for public ownership of failing water firms. The 10-year gilt yield rose to around 5.4% during his speech - they’ve been rising lately due to global energy shocks and inflation fears caused by the war in the Middle East. The FTSE 100 remained flat and was trading at 10,628.19 at the time of writing. 'Families need change to start now' in social care, dementia charity deputy says Dementia charity chiefs have commended the Prime Minister for his social care plans, but have said families are in need of immediate help. Andrew Pike, Deputy Director of Campaigns, Policy and Public Affairs at Dementia UK, said the charity hears from people navigating the UK's "broken system" every day. He said: "A revolution in social care delivery to offer person-centred, high-quality care could improve the lives of millions of people affected by dementia in England, but families are exhausted and need change to start now. "The Prime Minister’s ambition to 'rip off the plaster' and tackle long-standing failings within social care, alongside the recommendations made by Baroness Casey’s Commission, represent a vital opportunity to deliver lasting improvements to dementia care. "We hear every day from people who are left to navigate a broken system which too often places the responsibility of care onto families. "Any new model of care must involve joined up health and social care for people affected by dementia and their families, to finally deliver the coordinated and proactive support from diagnosis through to end of life that is so desperately needed." Influential Treasury chair commends 'bold' Burnham and praises 'good long-term thinking' Mirror Political Correspondent Sophie Huskisson writes in…I’ve been chatting to Meg Hillier for her reaction to Burnham’s speech - she’s not only a senior Labour MP but is the chair of the Commons’s influential Treasury select committee.She commends his ambition, telling me: “I’m impressed that he's bold enough to say that today. Not just sort of sneaking it out before a general election, or have lots of people discussing it as a possibility."She said linking it to social care meant he was offering “a deal” for the public as a whole, adding: “This is good long-term thinking.” 'Burnham's emotional speech was full of landmark moments - one stood out above them all' Mikey Smith, the Mirror's US Political Editor writes in... I watched Andy Burnham's speech with fellow reporters and a crowd of delegates at the Mirror's stand in the conference exhibition.The first applause from those gathered around the big screens on our stand was for Burnham's shout out to care staff, and his promise to improve their lives.But even through the screens, Burham's long, emotional pause before he spoke about his dad prompted hushed gasps and held breath. It felt like a proper moment.If you were to put together a word cloud of people's reactions immediately after the speech, from here at least, it would just be the word "emotional" in big letters. Jacqui Smith says election reform 'not top of my priorities' as she offers Burnham critique Electoral reform “isn’t top of my list of priorities”, skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith has said following the Prime Minister’s speech to Labour Party conference. Asked if there were any elements of the speech she may not have agreed on, she said: “Electoral reform isn’t top of my list of priorities. Good luck to the commission. I shall be interested with what it comes out with. “But you know, respect to Andy, he has also long argued for that – it is something that has got a lot of support in the hall, probably a considerable amount of support in the country, and fair enough to him for trying to find a way through it.” Former Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn described it as an “inspirational speech” but also suggested he was unsure about electoral reform, saying: “We’ll see what the Commission on Electoral Reform produces”. MPs welled up with Burnham as they went on 'emotional journey' during speech Mirror political correspondent Sophie Huskisson here…Some MPs were in tears or welling up during Burnham’s emotional speech.Labour MP Dawn Butler, on her way out of the speech, tells me: "Oh my goodness, I sat next to an MP - I'm not going to say her name - but anyway, she was blubbing, and when she started blubbing, I started blubbing, and I'm, like, this is really an emotional journey."Labour MP Meg Hillier said: "I have to say, I'm not, you know... I'm a numbers woman, but I had a tear in my eye a couple of times." Labour members left emotional after 'resonant' speech Mirror political correspondent Sophie Huskisson here…I've been getting reaction to Mr Burnham's speech as they poured out the room - and there were a lot of emotions.Will Hullock, a Labour member, said: "I found it very emotional. I thought it really balanced the right amount that we need for politicians as well, where we see them not just as mindless speak pieces, but as people who are genuine human beings."And I think Andy talking particularly about the National Care Service and his own father, it resonated with me quite a lot and I think it will resonate with the country." Triple lock change costings to be 'published in due course' Lucy Powell, Deupty Leader of the Labour Party, has said changes to the triple lock "over a long period of time" would produce the savings needed to create a national care service. She said the Treasury has made the relevant costings, and these would be published "in due course". In pictures: Andy Burnham delivers keynote speech Unions react positively to Burnham's speech Mirror Political Correspondant Dave Burke writes in... Positive sounds from the unions after Mr Burnham's speech. Rachel Harrison, general secretary of the GMB, said: “The Prime Minister’s speech was full of hope and addressed many issues GMB members face every day. “From an actual plan for the water industry, to the National Care Service, support for young people and reduced energy bills for both customers and industry - it was packed announcements we can all get behind. “The Government must now roll up its sleeves and get on with delivering.” 'Like Aneurin Bevan announcing the NHS' Labour key figures delighted by Burnham speech Labour figures reacting to the speech are bursting with praise for the Prime Minister, among them Dame Chi Onwurah, the Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee. She likened the speech to the moment Aneurin Bevan announced the creation of the NHS, adding: "It was a real Labour moment but direct to the country."