Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear black T-shirts. Andy Burnham has done what nearly every British politician knows needs to be done but dares never do. In his first speech as Prime Minister to the Labour party conference in Liverpool, Burnham announced the beginning of the end for the state pension triple lock.

From 2030 the triple lock will switch to a double lock of inflation or 2.5 per cent with a longer-term adjustment to keep pace with earnings over time – a sort of double and a half lock. It is welcome progress although the details could be messy. 

It’s the most progress we’ve ever had on dismantling the dreadful triple lock

It’s the most progress we’ve ever had on dismantling the dreadful triple lock

It will not, as Burnham intends, touch the sides on sorting out social care. And, of course, we will have to wait for that general election to come, and probably many years after it – even if Labour were to win another majority – to actually see if the triple lock does finally die. But the fact a prime minister is prepared to announce something that most........

© The Spectator