Burnham's plan to end pension triple lock a bad idea, Swinney says

The prime minister's plan to end the triple lock on pensions is a "bad idea", First Minister John Swinney has said.

The policy ensures that state pensions increase annually in line with inflation, average wage growth, or 2.5% - whichever is highest.

However, at the Labour conference, Andy Burnham said that from April 2030 the annual earnings option would be dropped.

Burnham also hit back at Swinney's claim that he would be the UK's last prime minster, insisting he was "determined" to prove the SNP leader wrong.

Under Burnham's plans, state pensions would rise in line with inflation or 2.5% from 2030. It was later suggested the rate could rise by more than this in some years to ensure it holds its value relative to earnings.

The Labour leader said the move would "generate significant savings" to help fund a new national care service south of the border.

"I accept I may pay a political price," he told the conference.

"But someone has to go through the pain barrier and rip the plaster off."

Burnham also pledged that low-income pensioners would not be dragged into paying income tax before the end of the decade.

Reacting to the triple-lock announcement at Holyrood, Swinney told journalists: "I think it's a bad idea.

"Scotland has provided free personal care for the elderly without punishing pensioners into the bargain. So I think Andy Burnham is making the same mistake that Keir Starmer made.

"Keir Starmer's first act was to take away winter fuel payments from pensioners, and now it seems Andy Burnham's first act is to take away the triple lock from pensioners."

During his speech, the prime minister cited comments from Swinney during a summit of nationalist leaders in Cardiff earlier this month.

Burnham said: "On the day my dad died, the Scottish first minister said I would be the last prime minister of the United Kingdom.

"I quote that not to seek sympathy nor to criticise John Swinney – I don't think he knew the news at the time, and anyway my dad Roy would have been the first to defend his right to say it.

"I relay it because I want you to know how it made me feel: utterly determined to prove him wrong."

In response, Swinney suggested that "maybe he should let us have a referendum and see who's right".

The first minister also clarified that he had offered Burnham his condolences as soon as he heard about his bereavement.

The Scottish government is aiming to hold a referendum by 2031 - though it needs Westminster's permission to do so.

Burnham said earlier this month that such a vote would be considered when there was a clear consensus in favour of it, though he said that had not been reached. He later added that a referendum was "off limits".

The prime minister's other announcements included plans for a national commission on electoral reform, a government body to invest in Britain's electricity grid and a summit on different options for the UK's long-term relationship with Europe.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "Andy Burnham started his premiership by committing to end rough sleeping and today he has set out his determination to tackle the big challenges that have held people back for too long with greater public control and a new social contract."