Dozens of Tory seats at risk if triple lock is axed, claims Labour
SCRAPPING the pensions triple lock would be a “great betrayal”, Labour frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth has warned.
The Shadow Pensions Secretary said Rishi Sunak would pay the price at the ballot box if the PM fails to keep a manifesto promise to retain it in next week’s Autumn Statement.
As the Daily Express bid to save the triple lock continues to grow with signatures on a petition to protect it now topping 286,000, Labour will ramp up pressure on the Tories to keep their pledge in a Commons vote today.
Analysis by Labour claims dozens of Tory constituencies, including 21 Cabinet ministers’ seats, are at risk if the triple lock is axed due to having more state pensioners in their constituency than their majority.
And in a separate vote in the Daily Express, 97 per cent of the more than 2,200 who took part said the Tories would lose their vote if they ditched the pension guarantee.
The triple lock sees state pensions rise in April by the highest of the previous September’s inflation – which was 10.1 per cent – the rate of wage growth or by 2.5 per cent. It is at risk as the Government tackles a £60billion public funding black hole. The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s fiscal plan will be unveiled next Thursday.
Breaking the manifesto pledge – and increasing it by the lower wage growth figure of 5.5 per cent instead – would deprive people on the new state pension of £443 a year.
Mr Ashworth said: “I would like to congratulate the Daily Express and its readers on its campaign. But I am worried a great betrayal is about to be imposed on the country.”
He said Labour would guarantee the triple lock for next year but refused to commit to it if the party won the next general election, adding: “Labour will always be the champion of rewarding pensioners.”
The Opposition Day Debate nonbinding vote urges the Government to “commit to maintaining” the lock.
Mr Ashworth said: “Will they keep their election promise or once again betray the pensioners?”
● Sign our petition with Silver Voices at change.org/triple-lock-crusade; tell us why the triple lock is important to you: Daily Express, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AP, or email news. desk@express.co.uk