Liz Truss promises to keep triple lock on pensions under fire at PMQs
Liz Truss has pledged to maintain the so-called triple lock guarantee on pension increases, as she fought back against accusations from Keir Starmer that she is “not in charge” of her government or the country.
Downing Street and the Treasury had for days refused to commit to the triple lock, which says that the state pension will rise by whichever is the greatest of inflation, average earnings or 2.5%, amid a review of spending by Jeremy Hunt, the new chancellor.
But at prime minister’s questions, when the SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, asked her about pension increases, Truss said: “I honestly don’t know what he is talking about because we have been clear in our manifesto that we will maintain the triple lock and I am completely committed to it. So is the chancellor.”
In Truss’s exchanges with Starmer, the Labour leader made predictable capital out of a deeply bruising week for the PM, in which Hunt, who took over from the sacked Kwasi Kwarteng on Friday, tore up much of her fiscal policy, amid speculation she is about to be deposed.
The first question of the session, from the Labour MP Justin Madders, set the tone, asking if Truss would explain “why the chancellor lost his job but she kept hers”.
Truss replied: “I have been very clear that I am sorry and that I have made mistakes. But the right thing to do in those circumstances is to make changes, which I have made, and to get on with the job and deliver for the British people.”
Starmer began by playfully noting that a new biography of Truss was being written. “Apparently it’s going to be out by Christmas,” he said. “Is that the release date or the title?”
Noting the U-turns, including the decision to only guarantee until April a cap on domestic energy bills,
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