Kemi backs triple lock as Tory ex-pensions chief says it must be axed to avoid national bankruptcy

CONSERVATIVE leader Kemi Badenoch has rushed to the defence of the triple lock as the safeguard against pensioner poverty comes under sustained attack.

- By David Williamson

Two of the country’s most influential think tanks and a Tory former minister have called for an end to the commitment as fears grow at the threat of “national bankruptcy” under Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

New figures show Government borrowing in September was the highest for the month in five years, topping £20billion.

This triggered a warning from the Taxpayers’ Alliance that Labour has “completely lost control of the public finances”.

Meanwhile, the Policy Exchange think tank has called for the abolition of the triple lock in its latest report. It set out plans to slash public spending by £115billion a year ahead of next month’s autumn Budget by freezing the state pension for three years. The triple lock ensures the state pension rises by whichever is highest out of inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%.

It comes as the Tories’ former work and pensions Secretary Damian Green said the commitment “needs to be toppled if we are to avoid the national bankruptcy that is uncomfortably close”.