Pension Triple Lock Will Be In Tory Manifesto

RISHI Sunak will give pensioners an election guarantee the triple lock will remain under a future Tory Government.

- Sam Lister

In a major victory for the Daily Express, the Prime Minister is set to put the commitment of a decent increase in the state pension at the heart of his party's manifesto.

Campaigners called Mr Sunak's pledge a "great first shot" in the battle to win the support of millions of older voters at the ballot box.

One Tory source told the Express: "The triple lock has been in every Conservative Party manifesto since we created it and we will commit to it again."

The future of the guarantee came under fresh scrutiny when Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told peers that the triple lock and state pension age are "kept under review". He said the answer was "very contingent on how successful we are" as lower public spending combined with higher growth would allow the current levels of support to continue.

That sparked concerns that the future of the funding formula was again under threat. But Mr Hunt insisted the Tory Party has a long track record on the pledge.

He told the Express: "I am totally committed to the triple lock, which is increasing the state pension by 8.5% next month - worth £900.

"Our track record is clear: we stand square behind Britain's pensioners." Treasury insiders suggested that Mr Hunt had been referring to the need for a strong economy to allow pensioners to be given the best deal.