UK. State pensions triple lock to stay, hints Nadhim Zahawi
Guarantee of at least a 2.5pc rise could be kept to help ‘uniquely vulnerable’, even though No 10 refused to commit to the pledge
The state pension triple lock will be kept in place, Nadhim Zahawi has suggested, after Number 10 refused to commit to the pledge.
Mr Zahawi, the new chairman of the Conservative Party, said pensioners were “uniquely vulnerable” amid the cost of living crisis and ahead of next month’s Autumn Statement, which is expected to result in wide-ranging spending cuts.
In their 2019 manifesto, the Conservatives pledged to increase the state pension in line with wage growth, inflation, or by 2.5 per cent – whichever was higher.
But Rishi Sunak’s spokesman refused to “comment ahead of any fiscal statements or Budgets” on Wednesday, saying decisions would be “guided by the values of the Government”.
Asked by LBC’s Nick Ferrari about whether the Prime Minister could backtrack, Mr Zahawi said: “I won’t pre-empt the Autumn Statement, Rishi did say there’s going to be some tough decisions.
“But he also recognises that we have to look after the most vulnerable and that’s what he will always do.”
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