![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/pensions-downing-street-refuses-to-commit-to-triple-lock/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/127390566_gettyimages-1147376420.jpg&description=Image source, Getty ImagesRishi Sunak will not commit to raising the state pension in line with inflation ahead of a statement by his chancellor next month, No 10 has said. But the PM's press secretary said he had a record of being "compassionate for the most vulnerable". The pledge means payments rise by whatever is higher - inflation, average earnings or 2.5%.Some Tories MPs have been concerned the manifesto pledge could be ditched and have argued pensioners should be given certainty their payments will keep up with the rising cost of living. Inflation, the rate at which prices rise, is currently running at a 40-year high of 10.1%, meaning wages, pensions and benefits are lagging behind prices. The PM's press secretary said a decision on whether to stick to the pensions triple lock would be "wrapped up into the fiscal statement" on 17 November. "But what I can say is he has shown through his record as chancellor is that he will do what's right and compassionate for the most vulnerable," she said. The chancellor's statement on the government's plans for tax and spending has been delayed by more than two weeks. This will give Jeremy Hunt, who has been in the role for less than two weeks, more time to prepare, while the chancellor said it would also mean the plans were based on the "most accurate" economic forecasts. Mr Hunt had already scrapped almost all his predecessor's tax cuts but he still needs to find billions of pounds of savings to keep the UK's debt under control. Media caption, The SNP Westminster leader says people are facing a "winter of uncertainty ahead"During Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Sunak also would not commit to raising benefits in line with prices. SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford asked if the PM would "reassure people and guarantee that benefits will rise in line with inflation in his upcoming budget".In response, Mr Sunak said: "My record on this is clear. Through the difficult times that we faced in this country through Covid I always){kind=link}
Rishi Sunak will not commit to raising the state pension in line with inflation ahead of a statement by his chancellor next month, No 10 has said.
But the PM’s press secretary said he had a record of being “compassionate for the most vulnerable”.
Just last week, his predecessor Liz Truss said she was committed to the pensions triple lock.
The pledge means payments rise by whatever is higher – inflation, average earnings or 2.5%.
Some Tories MPs have been concerned the manifesto pledge could be ditched and have argued pensioners should be given certainty their payments will keep up with the rising cost of living.