 'People just need a straight answer to a simple question. 'Will he keep his promise and lift benefits and pensions in line with inflation?' But Mr Sunak said he had an 'excellent new Chancellor' so a decision was now up in the air. 'We will always, as my track record as Chancellor demonstrates, have fairness and compassion at the heart of everything we do,' he said. Mr Blackford hit back: 'Austerity 2.0 isn't a difficult decisions. It is what it has always been - a Tory political choice to hit the poorest hardest.' He called for Mr Sunak to 'take the easy decision' to bring in a 'proper windfall tax' on oil and gas giants after BP posted over £7bn in quarterly profits. The Tory manifesto promised a 'triple lock' on pensions, raising them each year by 2.5%, earnings or inflation, whichever is highest. In April that would be inflation of 10.1%, while e){kind=link}
The Prime Minister refused to pledge the state pension or benefits will rise with 10.1% inflation in April – instead telling PMQs ‘difficult decisions will be made’
Rishi Sunak today warned “difficult decisions” will be made over benefits and pensions amid mounting fears he will slash them in real terms.
The Prime Minister has been refusing to commit to his previous pledge to raise benefits and pensions in line with 10.1% inflation in April 2023.
And today he dug in further – telling PMQs “it wouldn’t be right to comment” before the November 17 Autumn Statement.
“Everyone knows we do face a challenging economic outlook and difficult decisions will need to be made,” he said.