Necessary hardship

TOGETHER, Britain has fought Covid. Together, we must drag the country out of the economic meltdown wrought by the disease. That’s why the Mail is not baring its fangs (as we might instinctively) at suggestions ministers could suspend the state pension triple-lock.

A quirk of the Treasury bailout to feather the financial fallout of the pandemic could see pensions rocket by 18 per cent – adding £20billion to the welfare bill.

When the public purse is being battered and millions left on the dole, that would be both unaffordable and unjustifiable.

Yes, pensioners have contributed throughout their lives. But they should be willing to make this sacrifice.

However, we put ministers firmly on warning: This must not be a cynical ploy to rip up the triple lock. Older people tend to vote Tory. Alienating those supporters would be an act of senseless self-harm.