627,000 more OAPs trapped in poverty under the Tories

Political Editor A FURTHER 627,000 pensioners have been pushed into poverty under the Tories, analysis by Labour shows.

That means two million over-65s are unable to cope with soaring prices.

The state pension is set to rise by 3.1% in April – half the Bank of England’s average inflation forecast of 6.2% for 2022-23.

Price rises hit a 30-year high last week of 5.5%. Labour’s

CHOICES Elderly face struggle

Jonathan Ashworth says a lone pensioner will be £222 a year worse off in real terms, and couples £355.

He says pensioner poverty is higher everywhere since the Tories took power in 2013, adding: “Many face an impossible choice between heating and eating thanks to Boris Johnson.”

The Government said: “Latest figures show 200,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty. From April the full basic pension will

be £2,300 higher than 2010.”