A recent YouGov poll suggests that 48% of voters support Andy Burnham's proposal to make the pensions triple lock less generous to help fund a National Care Service, with 28% opposing the plan. This follows comments earlier in the week from Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, who described such a move as “electoral suicide.”
Separately, the poll found that 74% of respondents were in favour of establishing a National Care Service when asked in isolation. When asked about turning the triple lock into a double lock by removing the earnings link, 43% were in favour, compared to 30% against.
In other government announcements, Environment Secretary Angela Eagle launched a £10m Good Food Neighbourhoods Programme. This funding will be allocated to mayors and leaders in 45 local authorities, with each receiving £222,000 to support community-led food projects in areas facing high levels of deprivation and childhood obesity.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced plans to fund and recruit 1,000 youth workers, describing it as the largest investment in youth work in a generation. Nandy also stated the government would introduce a social media ban for children, along with legislation to prevent the taking or sharing of nude images on phones and to stop the circulation of non-consensual intimate images online.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper announced almost £50m to support victims of violence against women and girls, stating that this issue should be treated as a public health problem. The funding will establish new specialist referral services from GPs for victims of domestic abuse under a scheme called Steps to Safety, with approximately £34m for 12 integrated care boards and £15m for victim support services in England.