Lucy Powell has not ruled out Labour changing the state pension triple lock in its next manifesto, despite saying the party remains committed to the policy during this Parliament. The uncertainty comes as Andy Burnham prepares to discuss how to fund social care reform, with changing the pension uprating system reportedly among the options being considered.

The triple lock raises the state pension each year by whichever is highest: inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5 per cent. Powell said it would deliver an increase of about £2,000 a year over the course of this Parliament, while stressing that social care reform would require an honest discussion about costs. Burnham is expected to set out his priorities at Labour’s Liverpool conference; Unite leader Sharon Graham has said using changes to the triple lock to fund social care would be “morally wrong”.