Burnham pledges care service and opens door to EU referendum in conference speech
Andy Burnham used his first Labour conference speech as PM to promise a national care service funded by changing the pensions triple lock, and raised the prospect of a future EU referendum.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Andy Burnham has delivered his first Labour Party conference speech as Prime Minister, using it to promise a national care service for England and to set out a series of radical policy shifts. The speech in Liverpool was emotional at times. Burnham paid tribute to his father, Roy, who died two weeks earlier, and said his experience of the care system had shaped his decision to act.
The centrepiece was a new national care service. Burnham said it would be free at the point of use for personal care, though residential costs such as bed and board would still be means tested. He said the system would work on NHS principles, where everyone contributes and everyone is covered. He also said free personal care would be in Labour's next manifesto rather than introduced in this Parliament.
To help pay for it, Burnham said the state pension triple lock would be adjusted from April 2030. The current triple lock guarantees that the state pension rises by the highest of inflation, average earnings, or 2.5%. Under his plan, the annual link to earnings would be removed. Pensions would still rise by at least prices or 2.5%, and would keep their value relative to earnings over time. He said this would generate significant savings, which would go into the care service. He promised to honour the existing triple lock for the rest of this Parliament. Treasury estimates suggest the change could save around £15 billion a year by 2040, while the Institute for Fiscal Studies has estimated long-term savings of about £20 billion a year, with a range up to £40 billion. Analysts warned that the savings may not be enough in the early years.
The pension change drew immediate criticism. The Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said it would be morally wrong and electorally damaging. Conservative and Reform UK figures said they would oppose any tax rises or cuts to pensioner benefits. Other Labour figures said the plan was politically risky but necessary.
Burnham also announced a set of other policies. He said a strengthened water bill would repeal what he called Margaret Thatcher's ideological ban on public ownership of water companies. He announced a new publicly owned Great British Grid, under Great British Energy, to challenge private operators and speed up connections. He said VAT would be removed from electricity bills from Thursday. On housing, he set out a Your First Home scheme for first-time buyers in England, with a 2.5% deposit and a government-backed loan worth 20% of a new-build property. He promised leasehold reform before Christmas and said councils would get more powers to take over empty homes. He also announced a national commission on electoral reform and said Labour would contest the next election with a manifesto commitment to change the voting system.
On Brexit, Burnham said the UK had seen too much drift and division in the decade since the referendum. He said Brexit had done more harm than good and that he wanted to set out options for a closer long-term relationship with the European Union. Those options, he said, included staying as things are, a customs union-style deal, single market membership, or rejoining the EU. He did not propose an immediate referendum, but he did not rule out one being in Labour's next manifesto. He said any change would need public support. The European Commission and some EU leaders responded cautiously, while the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, said Britain would be welcome back.
The speech was delivered as Labour remains ahead in some polls but faces pressure over the cost of living. Energy bills are due to rise, and the government has said it is looking at what more it can do in the Budget. Burnham ruled out an early general election, saying the next election is expected in 2029. The conference mood was upbeat, but the scale of his promises and the limited detail on funding left questions about whether they can be delivered.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One | BBC Two | Channel 4 | GB News | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnham is considering reforming the triple lock to fund social care after the next election, causing a Labour row. | ||||||||
| A politician committed to a social care system based on NHS principles. | · | |||||||
| ITV reported the care plan cannot be delivered within the existing Labour manifesto and would be put to voters at the next election in 2029. | · | · | ||||||
| Andy Burnham is to introduce a new scheme to help young people get onto the property ladder. | · | · | · | |||||
| Andy Burnham was expected to set out his vision for Britain in a speech the following day, including social care and the economy, after saying he was willing to take difficult action to fix the social care crisis. | · | · | · | |||||
| Unite's Sharon Graham criticised proposals to scrap the triple lock to fund social care, saying it would be morally wrong and politically damaging. | · | · | · | · | ||||
| Andy Burnham did not directly answer whether he would rule out an EU rejoin commitment in Labour's next manifesto. | · | · | · | · | · | |||
| Andy Burnham raised the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU and said no options were ruled out, including a future manifesto commitment on rejoining or the customs union. | · | · | · | · | · | |||
| Andy Burnham ruled out an immediate EU referendum and did not commit to an in-out referendum in a future manifesto. | · | · | · | · | · | |||
| Burnham announced electoral reform plans, including a National Commission on Electoral Reform and a possible manifesto commitment. | · | · | · | · | · | |||
| Burnham is expected to launch a publicly owned Great British Power Grid to bring down energy prices, the first publicly owned electricity network since privatisation under Margaret Thatcher. | · | · | · | · | · | |||
| Reported estimate puts social care reform costs at at least £18 billion a year by 2035. | · | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Strongly critical, frames the triple lock change as a betrayal of pensioners and the Brexit rejoin debate as divisive. Focuses on pensioner backlash, scepticism about nationalisation, and possible electoral damage for Labour. Gives space to critics of Burnham's EU reopening.
- “It's a crying shame for our nation, tearful Andy Burnham betrays pensioners.”
- “I think this is such a silly climb down, because all it will mean is now, instead of a national regulator berating the water companies for polluting our waters and charging people far too much, now it will just be your man in Yorkshire or your woman in the East Midlands berating the water companies for polluting our waters and charging people too much.”
- “He's a gambler, will it pay off plus?”
Mainstream bulletin coverage, mixing policy detail with expert analysis and public reaction. Focuses on social care, the mechanics of the triple lock change, housing, and EU options. Less focused on political conflict, more on what the changes mean for voters.
- “Andy Burnham has set out his vision for the UK in his first speech as Prime Minister at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool”
- “The Prime Minister has announced plans for a national care service in England which will be free at the point of care.”
- “Brexit has done more harm than good”
Analytical and political, with panels and interviews testing the policy. Highlights union opposition, the political risk of the triple lock, and the possibility of an EU referendum. Captures conference mood and internal Labour divisions.
- “It's a politically risky move from Andy Burnham to look at the triple lock”
- “This was Andy Burnham, a man who was thought for a very long time about being Prime Minister, spelling out his story”
- “The Prime Minister Andy Burnham says it's possible that Labour's manifesto at the next election will promise a new in-out referendum on the EU.”
Focus on the political drama and the scale of Burnham's ambition, with Robert Peston framing it as a manifesto for the next election. Covers public reaction to social care and pension changes, and the reopening of the Brexit debate. Also highlights the lack of funding detail and immediate cost-of-living pressures.
- “Andy Burnham has vowed to change his party, all of politics and the United Kingdom, but he hasn't said how.”
- “Some of the money would come from reforming the triple lot guarantee for the state pension in 2030 so that increases will be protected against inflation but wouldn't rise in line with earnings every year.”
- “Brexit had been a mistake and would be reversed in part or in full.”
Rolling news and analysis, with heavy focus on the triple lock mechanics, market reaction, and the political gamble. Frames the speech as a premiership-defining moment. Also covers the EU rejoin debate and water and energy nationalisation.
- “He has just staked his premiership on changing the triple lock to help fix social care.”
- “During an emotional speech in which he paid tribute to his late father he made a promise to adjust the pensions triple log from 2030 to pay for social care reform.”
- “He also announced a bill to remove barriers to the public ownership of water companies and he blamed the right for weakening immigration control with Brexit.”
Comprehensive news service coverage, from live bulletins to Newscast and Verify. Focuses on explaining the triple lock change, the cost of social care, and the political implications. Also covers EU referendum speculation and internal party reaction.
- “Andy Burnham has promised to build a national care service for England, funded in part by making rises in the state pension less generous from the start of the next decade.”
- “from April 2030, the link between rising earnings and the state pension, part of the so-called triple lock, will be broken.”
- “The Prime Minister says it's possible Labour's next manifesto could promise a new in-out referendum on the EU.”
In-depth, analytical reporting that treats the speech as a major political reset. Focuses on the emotional delivery, the scale of the policy promises, the funding gap, and the reopening of the EU question. Includes public reaction and scrutiny of the triple lock.
- “An emotional Andy Burnham says it's time to believe again and after the next election deliver free social care part funded by ending the triple lock on pensions as we know it.”
- “He wants a system where everyone contributes, everyone is covered, but he hasn't ruled out tax rises to pay for it.”
- “Andy declared Brexit has caused more harm than good and he intends to look at a new deal with Europe with all options including rejoining on the table.”
Concise, consumer-focused bulletins. Focuses on what the triple lock change means for pensioners, the care home sector, and immediate measures such as VAT on electricity. Uses public voices and case studies to test the promises.
- “Today was a huge one for the Prime Minister Andy Burnham gave his first first speech to Labour Conference as Prime Minister”
- “He confirmed he wants a national care service funded by tax and free at the point of need and to help pay for it a controversial move from 2030 the triple lock-on pensions scrapped”
- “Andy Burnham says he won't introduce a new social care system before the next election but will put his plans to voters when it comes.”
Who was on air
People and organisations each channel put on air while covering this story. Channels' own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed, and the list can miss people.
- 16:16 BST
Sean Bell, former fighter pilot and military analyst
“Sean Bell is a former fighter pilot and military analyst.”
BBC News · Sun 27 Sept - 15:09 BST
Baroness Ayesha Hazarika, Labour peer, also a political commentator and broadcaster
“Baroness Ayesha Hazarika, a Labour peer, also a political”
Verified Live · Tue 29 Sept - 21:02 BST
Andy Burnham, UK Prime Minister
“We promised in our manifesto to keep the triple lock unchanged throughout this parliament.”
The Context · Tue 29 Sept - 21:08 BST
Neal Lawson, political commentator and the founder of Compass which is a centre left think tank
“Yeah I was really pleased with the speech.”
The Context · Tue 29 Sept - 00:30 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party
“Today I am announcing a new national commission on electoral reform.”
Newscast · Wed 30 Sept
- 22:40 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“It's been a decade of too much drift, too much division”
BBC News · Sat 26 Sept - 22:41 BST
Steve Reed, former minister, London MP
“People hear about getting power out of London into the regions of the country”
BBC News · Sat 26 Sept - 09:05 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“We are making really good progress now.”
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg · Sun 27 Sept - 13:03 BST
- 22:09 BST
Andy Burnham, prime minister
“I am talking about a system that works on NHS principles.”
BBC News and Weather · Sun 27 Sept - 18:03 BST
- 18:13 BST
Baroness Louise Casey, Baroness
“She has said that the Prime Minister's commitment is a massive boost to what she's doing”
BBC News · Tue 29 Sept - 13:06 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“Andy Burnham has since defended his plans, saying the savings will go towards funding a national care service”
BBC News at One including... · Wed 30 Sept
- 22:32 BST
Unite the Union, one of Britain's biggest unions
“The boss of one of Britain's biggest unions Unite tells Newsnight any plan by Andy”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Mon 28 Sept - 22:33 BST
Andy Burnham, prime minister
“Andy Burnham will make his first party conference speech as prime minister tomorrow.”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Mon 28 Sept - 22:33 BST
Jonathan Reynolds, business secretary
“Live tonight we will talk to the business secretary Jonathan Reynolds.”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Mon 28 Sept - 22:33 BST
Lewis Goodall, news agents host
“And we'll hear from our panel news agents host Lewis Goodall”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Mon 28 Sept - 22:33 BST
Ben Riley-Smith, Sunday Times political editor
“and Sunday Times political editor Ben Riley-Smith.”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Mon 28 Sept - 22:34 BST
Sharon Graham, the boss of Unite
“That's right I think that Sharon Graham has given a pretty strong statement to Newsnight tonight”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Mon 28 Sept - 22:35 BST
“just look at what the Institute for Fiscal Studies is saying”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Mon 28 Sept - 22:36 BST
John Healey, Chancellor
“Great privilege, Chancellor of the country at a Labour conference.”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Mon 28 Sept - 12:15 BST
- 12:15 BST
Paul McNamee, journalist and broadcaster
“journalist and broadcaster Paul McNamee”
Politics Live · Tue 29 Sept - 12:16 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“Today, I'll set out a different path for the country.”
Politics Live · Tue 29 Sept - 12:21 BST
Stephen Kinnock, Secretary of State for Wales
“I'm afraid people are going to have to wait to hear from the Prime Minister.”
Politics Live · Tue 29 Sept - 12:49 BST
Steve Wright, General Secretary of the Fire Brigade's Union
“because we are joined from there by the General Secretary of the Fire Brigade's Union, Steve Wright.”
Politics Live · Tue 29 Sept - 22:38 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“Conference, I am going to go out and argue for that”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Tue 29 Sept - 22:44 BST
Kiran Stacey, policy editor of The Guardian
“Well actually what I'm hearing is mostly positive”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Tue 29 Sept - 22:46 BST
Ollie Dugmore, Digital editor of the New Statesman
“Yes I do think it's the right thing to do”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Tue 29 Sept - 22:47 BST
Laura Farris, Former Conservative Minister
“Well look I think it was a very deft presentation to present it to the audience as if it was a win-win”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Tue 29 Sept - 22:52 BST
Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland
“They won't be lower, they will rise every year”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Tue 29 Sept - 22:31 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“The Prime Minister Andy Burnham says it's possible that Labour's manifesto at the next election will promise a new in-out referendum on the EU.”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Wed 30 Sept - 22:31 BST
Andrew Neil, Journalist and broadcaster for more than five decades
“Journalist and broadcaster for more than five decades, Andrew Neil, who presents his own podcast, the Andrew Neil Report.”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Wed 30 Sept - 22:31 BST
Chris Curtis, Labour MP, recently the chair of the Labour Growth Group and former polling supremo
“Labour MP, Chris Curtis, recently the chair of the Labour Growth Group and former polling supremo.”
Newsnight, followed by Weather · Wed 30 Sept
- 18:20 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“Broken social care will in the end break the National Health Service”
Channel 4 News · Sun 27 Sept - 18:23 BST
“We don't think that the rules should be changed for migrant workers”
Channel 4 News · Sun 27 Sept - 18:25 BST
Douglas Alexander, Scottish Secretary
“Earlier I spoke to the Scottish Secretary, Douglas Alexander,”
Channel 4 News · Sun 27 Sept - 18:29 BST
Luke Tryl, from the polling organisation More in Common
“Joining me now is Luke Tryl”
Channel 4 News · Sun 27 Sept - 18:29 BST
More in Common, polling organisation
“from the polling organisation More in Common”
Channel 4 News · Sun 27 Sept - 18:29 BST
Sienna Rodgers, deputy editor of the House magazine
“and deputy editor of the House magazine, Sienna Rodgers.”
Channel 4 News · Sun 27 Sept - 18:29 BST
“and deputy editor of the House magazine, Sienna Rodgers.”
Channel 4 News · Sun 27 Sept - 19:00 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party
“So I'm going to use this job to build the kind of Britain my dad”
Channel 4 News · Tue 29 Sept - 19:16 BST
Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary
“I spoke to the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy”
Channel 4 News · Tue 29 Sept - 19:31 BST
Christabel Cooper, works on public opinion and political strategy at Think Labour, which used to be Labour Together
“joining me now is Christabel Cooper, who works on public opinion and political strategy at Think Labour, which used to be Labour Together.”
Channel 4 News · Tue 29 Sept - 19:31 BST
Zoe Billingham, the director of the IPPR North think tank
“And Zoe Billingham, the director of the IPPR North think tank.”
Channel 4 News · Tue 29 Sept - 19:22 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“Prime Minister, thank you for your time.”
Channel 4 News · Wed 30 Sept
- 23:12 BST
Hamish Falconer, Minister in charge of renegotiating our relationship with Brussels
“Look, we are elected on a clear manifesto.”
New: Peston · Wed 23 Sept - 23:10 BST
- 13:33 BST
Andy Burnham, leader of the party and as Prime Minister
“Andy Burnham's first as leader of the party and as Prime Minister.”
ITV News · Sun 27 Sept - 23:03 BST
John Healey, Chancellor
“Well, we have a very clear, strong manifesto commitment on the triple lock that holds.”
New: Peston · Mon 28 Sept - 22:18 BST
Louise Haigh, first Secretary of State and effectively the Prime Minister's deputy
“Well, again, for the duration of this parliament, our red lines in our 24 manifesto remain.”
ITV News at Ten · Tue 29 Sept - 18:44 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“I think we have seen growth harmed by Brexit”
ITV Evening News · Wed 30 Sept - 22:19 BST
David McAllister, a very senior German MEP
“I think so many European leaders have said”
ITV News at Ten · Wed 30 Sept
- 22:17 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“We need to set out a new direction for the country.”
The Wrap With Gillian Joseph · Sat 26 Sept - 06:09 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister, leader of the Labour Party
“I think we're all clear that with the welfare bill is too high”
Mornings · Tue 29 Sept - 10:01 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“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.”
Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow · Tue 29 Sept - 10:02 BST
Lucy Powell, Deputy Prime Minister
“So look, we are committed to the triple lock, it's in our manifesto.”
Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow · Tue 29 Sept - 10:03 BST
Sharon Graham, General Secretary of the United Union
“I think it would be wrong for us to go back to the well of pensioners.”
Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow · Tue 29 Sept - 10:06 BST
Angela Rayner, Housing Secretary
“He's making it really clear that people are paying at the moment and it is a system that we've got to ask ourselves, is this what we want for our loved ones?”
Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow · Tue 29 Sept - 16:01 BST
Andy Burnham, Labour leader
“Andy Burnham has delivered his first conference speech as Labour leader”
Sky News Today with Jayne Secker · Tue 29 Sept - 16:13 BST
“we've just had a reaction from Kemi Badenoch who says”
Sky News Today with Jayne Secker · Tue 29 Sept - 16:14 BST
“Nigel Farage has responded on X, he said, this is Mr Farage”
Sky News Today with Jayne Secker · Tue 29 Sept - 16:15 BST
“You heard when he was talking to Beth Rigby just now, Ed Miliband justifying the”
Sky News Today with Jayne Secker · Tue 29 Sept - 02:13 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“But someone has to go through the pain barrier and rip the plaster off”
Sky News · Wed 30 Sept - 06:10 BST
“The IFS, for example, the Institute for Fiscal Studies”
Mornings · Wed 30 Sept
- 23:45 BST
Prince Harry, Prince Harry
“We do not have years for what comes next.”
New: Patrick Christys Tonight Late... · Wed 23 Sept - 19:02 BST
Lawrence Taylor, Head of Counter-terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner
“And we can confirm that no improvised explosive devices have been found.”
New: Farage · Tue 29 Sept - 19:04 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“Britain has been on the wrong path for a long time.”
New: Farage · Tue 29 Sept - 19:08 BST
Shaun Woodward, former Cabinet Minister under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and regular on this program
“I don't know what the election timing is likely to be.”
New: Farage · Tue 29 Sept - 19:13 BST
Jo Phillips, journalist and former press secretary to Paddy Ashdown and now gardener director of the Margaret Thatcher Centre for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation
“I have no confidence in his idea about you know a grid that's run by the government”
New: Farage · Tue 29 Sept - 23:01 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“In April 2030, we will adjust it. The state pension will continue to rise every year at least by prices, or 2.5%.”
New: Patrick Christys Tonight Late... · Tue 29 Sept - 23:02 BST
Donald Trump, President of the United States
“A good job, and then they sort of let him go.”
New: Patrick Christys Tonight Late... · Tue 29 Sept - 23:02 BST
Christo Fufas, journalist and broadcasting royalty
“joining us this evening is journalist and broadcasting royalty, Christo Fufas.”
New: Patrick Christys Tonight Late... · Tue 29 Sept - 23:02 BST
Sebastian Salek, former Labour Counsellor
“We've got former Labour Counsellor, Sebastian Salek and GB News contributor and comedian, Paul Cox.”
New: Patrick Christys Tonight Late... · Tue 29 Sept - 19:08 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“I'm not proposing that the UK considers rejoining the EU.”
New: Farage · Wed 30 Sept - 19:10 BST
Tom Harris, former Labour Minister and Telegraph columnist
“Joining me to give a comment on this is Tom Harris,”
New: Farage · Wed 30 Sept
- 17:03 BST
Andy Burnham, Prime Minister
“I am going to go out and argue for that a good deal for our pensioners and for older people in the”
5 News with Dan Walker · Tue 29 Sept - 17:07 BST
Francis Gordon, resident at St Mary's in Worthing
“Like Francis Gordon and Ray are residents at St Mary's in Worthing. They told me funding of care is a mess”
5 News with Dan Walker · Tue 29 Sept - 17:09 BST
Lisa Nandy, culture secretary
“I agree with abandoning the triple lock would be a bad thing”
5 News with Dan Walker · Tue 29 Sept - 17:33 BST
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.