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Rishi Sunak has been called on to increase all benefits in line with inflation as he gave one of his strongest hints yet that the “triple lock” protections for the state pension will be maintained in Thursday’s autumn statement. Speaking ahead of Jeremy Hunt’s mini budget on November 17, the prime minister said pensioners were “at the forefront of my mind” and promised the chancellor’s tax and spending plans had “fairness and compassion” at their heart. As they welcomed his comments, a charity warned the triple-lock pledge could mean the difference between “scared” pensioners using their central heating or not this winter. But amid a widespread cost-of-living crisis, Mr Sunak has faced calls to pledge to raise all benefits, including those for working-age people, in line with rates. Ryan Shorthouse, chief executive of Conservative think tank Bright Blue, said: “It is intellectually unacceptable to protect the value of the state pension in line with inflation but not universal credit. Either both increase due to inflation or both increase due to earnings.” Karl Handscomb, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation think tank, said: “With the cost of living crisis continuing, and possibly even deepening, next year, it is important that the Chancellor keeps the commitments made this summer in the recent his predecessor and now prime minister, Rishi Sunak, that all allowances – for working-age families as well as pensioners – are upgraded to next year’s prices.’ Downing Street sparked fears last month that the triple lock could be scrapped by saying it was “on the table” in discussions as Mr Sunack and Mr Hunt worked out plans to plug a £60bn hole in the country’s finances. Abolishing the measure – which ensures pensions rise in line with the higher of inflation, average wages or 2.5 per cent – will save the Treasury around £5bn a year. But the suggestion it could be scrapped sparked fury among campaigners who accused Mr Sunak of sowing anxiety among the elderly just weeks after Liz Truss had guaranteed the triple lock’s survival. Casting doubt over the fate of the measure, which was a 2019 Tory manifesto promise, as he traveled to the G20 summit in Indonesia, Mr Sunak flatly refused to confirm that the triple lock would remain. But he told reporters: “My record as chancellor shows that I care a lot about these pensioners, particularly when it comes to things like energy and heating, because they are particularly vulnerable to the cold. “That’s why when I announced support earlier this year as chancellor, we made extra provision for pensioners to receive up to £300 alongside their winter fuel payments to help them tackle their energy bills over the winter. “So I’m someone who understands the particular challenge of retirees. He will always be at the forefront of my mind.” Rishi Sunak speaks to reporters on a flight to Bali (PA) Mr Sunack said Tory governments had a “good record of protecting pensioners”, arguing the state pension is now £700 higher than it would have been had David Cameron not introduced the triple lock during his government of the coalition. “I can’t comment on any decision – and this is not just about the triple lock, it’s about anything – days before a financial situation,” he said. “But we will put justice and compassion at the heart of all the decisions we make and I’m sure people will see that next Thursday.” Caroline Abrahams from Age UK said the charity “fervently” hoped the chancellor would protect the triple lock and increase benefits in line with inflation. She added: “The price rises we are seeing, above all in energy, are incredibly scary for older people and knowing there will be some relief come spring would make a huge difference. In many cases, it could convince them to turn on their central heating this winter, when they would otherwise be trying very hard to get by without it, at serious risk to their health.” Morgan Vine, head of policy and advocacy at Independent Age, said a “fair and compassionate” autumn statement would protect the triple lock and upgrade benefits in line with inflation. She said her organization regularly received calls to the helpline from seniors forced to make unsafe choices for heating and food. “It is vital that those who are already struggling are not penalized in the upcoming budget,” he added. A former minister predicted Mr Sunak would struggle to get a reversal of the triple lock through the Commons if he tried. Tory MP Sir John Hayes said he would welcome keeping the policy, saying the locks “should by default be secure”. Wendy Chamberlain, Lib Dem leader, said: “Pensioners have already seen cuts and the endless speculation around the triple lock has only added to their financial worries. It shouldn’t take weeks of public pressure for the Conservative Party to deliver on its manifesto promise.”
