I'M ON YOUR SIDE! PM PLEDGES BUMPER PENSION RISE

In all-out bid to win the "grey vote", Rishi commits to cash boost

- Martyn Brown

A STUNNING election pledge to boost the state pension for millions and put clear blue water between the Tories and Labour has been made by the Prime Minister.

In a direct appeal to older voters which puts Sir Keir Starmer under increasing pressure, Rishi Sunak will hand pensioners a £100 tax cut next year by raising their personal allowance.

Mr Sunak said that this will rise to almost £300-a-year by the end of the decade. Combined with the existing pensions triple lock, the new tax cut means that eight million pensioners will be significantly better off in five years' time.

The PM said: "I passionately believe that those who have worked hard all their lives should have peace of mind and security in retirement. Thanks to the Conservatives' triple lock, pensions have risen by £900 this year and now we will cut their taxes by around £100 next year.

"This bold action demonstrates we are on the side of pensioners. The alternative is Labour dragging everyone in receipt of the full state pension into income tax for the first time in history."

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the plan would be welcomed by Daily Express readers who have worked hard and paid taxes all their lives. He said: "Ensuring pensioners can live in dignity after a lifetime of hard work goes to the core of my values as a Conservative.