Cornwall MP calls for return of 'triple lock' to safeguard value of state pensions
Derek Thomas raised the issue Commons to help pensioners cope with the cost of living
Last updated 16th Mar 2022
A Cornish MP wants to see more done to help pensioners cope with the cost of living.
Derek Thomas, who represents St Ives, has raised the issue in Parliament, calling on the Chancellor to re-introduce the triple lock.
He said: "I represent an area where a number of people are on a state pension and I know from conversations I've had with the Chancellor, he's particularly concerned about this demographic.
"I wonder whether one of the easier routes, just because of the critical rise in the cost of living, would be to introduced the triple lock for this next year?"
The Chancellor, Sajid Javid, responded by saying: "My honourable friend is right to highlight to pensioners and he is right to support them in the way that he does.
"He'll know we made a decision temporarily to move to a double lock this year because of the anomaly in the reported earnings which would've meant, statistically, a very large rise which wouldn't have been justified or fair in the circumstances.
"That said, because of this government's policy on the triple lock, I'm pleased to say that pensions now are at their highest level, relative to earnings, in over three decades and we continue to be the party to support those who need our help".