New Pension Triple Lock Threat

LABOUR could be set to backtrack on the pension triple lock if it wins power.

- Sam Lister

Activists were told the vow of a decent annual rise cannot be guaranteed. The party will not give a cast-iron pledge on the formula for retirees until it examines the nation's finances, should Sir Keir Starmer move into No10.

Campaigners said the triple lock is a "clear issue of principle" and urged Labour to clarify its position - but Treasury insiders claimed "nobody trusts" the party over the guarantee.

One source said: "Labour are all over the shop on this. For the sake of 12.5 million pensioners many of whom rely on the state pension as their sole source of income - Labour need to clear up the muddle."

The source added: "Even if they commit to the pensions triple lock today, nobody trusts them. If they ever get into government, the triple lock will be in their sights."

Doubt on the pledge was reported by a website for activists on the party's Left. It said the recent National Policy Forum in Nottingham gave activists "no hope".

The article added: "In another shocking U-turn, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Ashworth refused to recommit to protecting the triple lock on pensions, despite the Party having recommitted to just such a policy three weeks ago. The move risks a further backlash against Starmer's record of pledge-breaking."