![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/state-pensions-triple-lock-to-stay-hints-nadhim-zahawi/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TELEMMGLPICT000314052930_1_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqhJdepDYaT7diH1nH3XeYQbPYIpj0e4AatBqJ5XmAhMo.jpeg&description=He said pensioners 'can't take on work to increase their income and therefore are uniquely vulnerable' - adding: "And I know that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor will be very, very conscious of that fact." Mr Zahawi added there was "no doubt" Jeremy Hunt would nonetheless take some "tough decisions" as part of the Autumn Statement on Nov 17. Asked about the issue on Wednesday, the Prime Minister's spokesman said: "That is something that is going to be wrapped up into the fiscal statement, we wouldn't comment ahead of any fiscal statements or Budgets. "What I can say is he has shown through his record as Chancellor that he will do what's right and compassionate for the most vulnerable." Liz Truss, the former prime minister, last week committed to maintaining the triple lock during her final appearance at Prime Minister's Questions, 48 hours after Jeremy Hunt suggested it may be ditched as part of a new fiscal package. If Mr Sunak kept the triple lock in place, it would amount to the biggest pay rise on record - with state pensions rising by 10.1 per cent next April, at a cost of £11 billion to the Treasury. Mr Zahawi, who endorsed Boris Johnson for the Conservative leadership before his withdrawal on Sunday night, praised the former prime minister for putting "country and party ahead of self" and said the "Conservative family" had united behind Mr Sunak.){kind=link}
Guarantee of at least a 2.5pc rise could be kept to help ‘uniquely vulnerable’, even though No 10 refused to commit to the pledge
The state pension triple lock will be kept in place, Nadhim Zahawi has suggested, after Number 10 refused to commit to the pledge.
Mr Zahawi, the new chairman of the Conservative Party, said pensioners were “uniquely vulnerable” amid the cost of living crisis and ahead of next month’s Autumn Statement, which is expected to result in wide-ranging spending cuts.
In their 2019 manifesto, the Conservatives pledged to increase the state pension in line with wage growth, inflation, or by 2.5 per cent – whichever was higher.
But Rishi Sunak’s spokesman refused to “comment ahead of any fiscal statements or Budgets” on Wednesday, saying decisions would be “guided by the values of the Government”.