Still committed to the triple lock says Chancellor

JEREMY Hunt vowed he would always look after pensioners’ interests as he insisted the Government remains “committed” to the triple lock.

In his strongest hint yet about the formula’s future, the Chancellor said he recognises retirees cannot work more to make ends meet when times are tough.

But campaigners called on him to make a “no ifs, no buts” promise after he refused to guarantee it would be in the manifesto.

Anxiety

He also did not commit to honouring the 8.5% rise that is due next April under the pledge.

But Mr Hunt insisted: “We are committed to the triple lock. We introduced the triple lock. And because of the triple lock, there are 200,000 fewer pensioners in poverty than when we came in, in 2010.

“So it’s a policy we believe in. And we will continue to have the back of pensioners.”

Pressed on the manifesto, he told LBC: “All I’ll say is that if grandma isn’t going to vote for Jeremy Hunt, then I’m in big trouble.”

Nearly 219,000 people have now backed the Daily Express crusade demanding the Government awards the April increase in full.

The Liberal Democrats are the first UK-wide party to commit to maintaining it.

Ahead of the party’s autumn conference this weekend, leader Sir Ed Davey said the formula was an election pledge it helped to introduce during the Coalition government.

He added: “Endless flip flopping by Conservatives and Labour on this is causing huge anxiety.”

The triple lock guarantees a rise linked to inflation, earnings or at least 2.5%. Ministers are still deciding whether to use the formula in full or change it to save hundreds of millions of pounds.

Our crusade with Silver Voices calls on ministers to pay out the increase at 8.5% instead of a lower rate of 7.8%. Group director Dennis Reed said: “Jeremy Hunt says he is committed to it ,but if he truly means that he would say now the April rise will be paid out in full, no ifs, no buts.”

● Petition at change.org/ stick-with-the-triple-lock