Age Cymru comment in response to Andy Burnham's speech in relation to social care and the triple lock

Victoria Lloyd, CEO of Age Cymru, said: "We have an ageing population, we've been slow to adapt to this reality and a new deal for pensioners is long overdue so it's great to see the UK Government recognising this - but of course what really matters is what it contains.

"The Prime Minister's commitment to social care reform in England is hugely welcome. A modern, progressive social care system, free at the point of use, would be transformational for older and disabled people, and their families too and is something we are keen to see across the UK.

"Although responsibility for social care in Wales rests with the Welsh Government, decisions made by the UK Government will have important implications for social care reform in Wales, including through consequential funding. Age Cymru looks forward to working with the Welsh Government as the National Care Service takes shape, building on what older people across Wales have told us about the support they need to live well and independently.

"Good social care support that you can depend on is certainly critical for older people if they're to live decently in retirement, but so too is financial security. For a generation, the Triple Lock has given older people confidence that the value of their State Pension won't be eroded in an uncertain and volatile world, and now the Government wants to change it from 2030, when their manifesto pledge expires. Pensions policy is notoriously complex so we postpone judgment on the overall impact of their proposed reform until we can scrutinise the detail.

"However, much will depend on where we are by 2030, including what level the State Pension has reached by then. We will need to be absolutely certain that those who are reliant on the State Pension alone can attain a decent standard of living, and that means the UK Government must have a cast iron plan to ensure no-one is left behind. There is much to do, including moving to a new approach whereby the older people on the lowest incomes actually receive the top up benefits they are due - at present fully one in three are missing out.

"Pensioner poverty has not been vanquished and the last few years show how insidiously it can come creeping back if governments look away. Protecting those older people who are vulnerable, or on the lowest incomes, should be the ultimate test of any Government's reforms - it can't be social care or financial security, in a civilised society it must be both.

“Poverty is unacceptable at any age. As the cost of living continues to put pressure on household finances, older people must not be overlooked. Age Cymru is calling on the Welsh and UK Governments to work together to ensure older people remain a clear priority in future plans and budgets, with targeted action to reduce poverty and improve financial security in later life.”