They must not let us down like this
STRUGGLING pensioners have told how “every penny counts” as they warned of dire personal and political consequences if the Government breaks its pension pledge.
Our army of readers has laid bare the real-life toll of scraping by on meagre fixed incomes amid the deepening financial emergency. Many said if the triple lock guarantee is not reinstated in April, they will never vote Tory again.
Former soldier Mick Green, 86, from Tonbridge, Kent, is one of hundreds of thousands backing the Daily Express Help Save The Triple Lock campaign.
He spoke for many when he said he was finding costs difficult. “I live in public housing, do not drink, smoke or gamble and rarely go out socially, so to lose the triple lock increase would probably be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for me.
“I have voted Conservative for years, but if the manifesto pledge is not kept, I will be abstaining.”
In a postbag unlike anything seen before, frightened readers have told the Express of the devastating impact of seeing their benefits slashed in real terms.
The triple lock guarantees the basic State Pension will rise by a minimum of 2.5 per cent, the rate of inflation or average earnings growth, whichever is greatest, from April.
Fragile
Inflation is now 10.1 per cent with soaring heating, food and living costs threatening meagre fixed incomes. The prospect of another blow to fragile finances has prompted almost 300,000 to sign up to our campaign.
Retired architect Steffan Moss, 62, from Leeds, told the Daily Express it felt as if pensioners were getting “stuffed like a Christmas turkey”. Steffan, who was left
disabled after falling from scaffolding at work, said: “You have to almost kill yourself to survive and now they’re saying the pension might not go up with inflation.
“It’s not enough that you have to work hard all your life for that money, they then don’t keep their promise. I’m angry about it. It’s as if they’re punishing you twice. LizTruss only did 46 days, Sunak shouldn’t even do that if he doesn’t keep the triple lock.”
Retired pub licensee Moira Mulloy, 66, from WestYorkshire, said: “It’s the uncertainty that worries you, the cost of living is going up and you need your pension to go up in line with that.
“I haven’t had a life of luxury by any means, but I’ve always comfortably afforded my bills. Now I have to watch the pennies. I’m very worried about it.”
Retired Methodist minister Keith Page, 72, from Harrogate, NorthYorkshire, was prepared for a sacrifice: “I think it’s fair enough if pensioners need to give a bit for the good of the country. I personally know a lot of young parents who are really struggling. I know some pensioners are struggling too, but there are also a lot of wealthy pensioners.
“I think the older generation is a bit more attuned to dealing with adversity than the younger generation.”
Semi-retired arts and crafts teacher Clare Marlow 72, from Leeds, said: “Pensions should never go down in real terms.
“I fear for people on the breadline as they’re struggling enough as it is – it would be a disaster for them to get a cut to their pensions.
“It’s ironic because after the chaos of Boris Johnson and
Liz Truss, I think Rishi Sunak is the best of a bad bunch, but
I don’t think he’s a leader. He seems so ineffectual and this proves it.”