Badenoch plans to cut state pension will send "shiver down the spine" of pensioners in Harrogate and Knaresborough

Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch said yesterday (16th January) that she would look at means testing the triple lock, meaning some pensioners would lose out on the annual automatic up-rating of the state pension.

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said that Badenoch’s plans would send a “shiver down the spine” of local pensioners.

It follows on comments from Badenoch’s Shadow Chancellor, Mel Stride, made in December in which he said that maintaining the triple lock was “unsustainable”.

The triple lock was introduced by the Liberal Democrats in government to protect the state pension, by ensuring it increases each year by at least 2.5%, or in line with average wage increases or inflation if they are higher.

Harrogate and Knaresborough's Lib Dem MP called on Conservative MPs in North Yorkshire to distance themselves from both the Conservative Leader and Shadow Chancellor’s remarks and make clear they support the triple lock in full.

Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom Gordon said:

“Kemi Badenoch’s comments will send a shiver down the spine of pensioners here in Harrogate and Knaresborough. 

“Thousands of older people in our area rely on the triple lock to get a decent increase in the state pension each year. After being hammered by years of the Conservatives’ economic vandalism and the new government’s decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment, this support is needed now more than ever.

“Conservative MPs in North Yorkshire need to distance themselves from the remarks of their party leader and commit to keeping the triple lock in full. Anything less would show a complete disregard for local pensioners.

“The Liberal Democrats are proud we introduced the triple lock and will fight tooth and nail against Conservative attempts to weaken it."

ENDS

Kemi Badenoch’s comments can be found here.

Mel Stride’s comments can be found here.