PLEA TO BORIS: YOU MUST SORT COST OF LIVING CRISIS NOW!

As prices soar campaigners demand rise in state pension is brought forward

- Sam Lister

BORIS Johnson has been warned to solve the cost of living crisis or many older voters might desert the Tories.

Charities urged him to bring forward the rise in state pensions to next month, huge increases in energy costs loom.

Veteran campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen said pensioners face choosing heating or eating as they battle rocketing fuel bills while rising inflation outstrips their income.

Dennis Reed, of pressure group Silver Voices, said scrapping the pension triple lock was "the final straw" for “millions of struggling pensioners”. One top charity fears a "national emergency” unless the Government steps in now.

Campaigners want the pension rise to be brought forward from April to next month or an emergency payment of £250 to help millions hit by the cost of living crisis.

Silver Voices said the older generation "feels betrayed. Our votes can no longer be taken for granted by any political party”.

Dennis Reed, its director, urged the Government to introduce the 3.1 per cent increase in the state pension within weeks.

In a letter to Mr Johnson, he said: “The final straw for many of our members was the decision to suspend the triple lock on state pensions for 2022, despite firm and highprofile manifesto promises to the contrary.

“This short-sighted and mean-spirited decision has left millions of struggling pensioners at the mercy of soaring energy prices and the cost of living crisis.

"Our promised 3.1 per cent state pension increase in April may only be half the prevailing rate of inflation."

His organisation said ministers must also take action in several other areas to win back the trust of older voters.