Gary Sambrook MP has written to the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ahead of the Autumn Statement urging him to maintain the triple lock on pensions. With tough decisions ahead there because of the pandemic Gary has taken a stand to protect pensioners who are struggling.
In a letter to the Chancellor he has made clear the importance of keeping the manifesto commitment and not balancing the books on the backs of pensioners.
The full text of the letter is below:
"
Dear Chancellor,
As you will be aware I have been campaigning for the retention of the triple lock pension. My constituency has one of the highest level of elderly persons living in poverty in the Country. Therefore the triple lock pension is vital to people in Birmingham Northfield.
The triple lock is vital as it ensures that pensioner income is not destroyed by the rising cost of living. At a time of global economic changes, it is completely unacceptable to make already vulnerable people feel even more worried about their future.
The introduction of the triple lock was a good move that increased and protected value of the state pension. Before the policy was introduced many pensioners were left struggling and it is only now, thanks to the move, that pensioners have some security as they get older. It is therefore essential that this policy remains in place, especially at this time of rising prices due to the global economic situation.
Older people spend a larger percentage of their fixed income on energy and therefore have to cut spending on other essentials such as food. These decisions are critical to the health and well-being of older people, especially those with ill health and disabilities.
In 2019 I stood for election in Birmingham Northfield on our manifesto that stated “On entering Government in 2010, the Conservatives acted decisively to protect the UK’s pensioners. The ‘triple lock’ we introduced has meant that those who have worked hard and put in for decades can be confident that the state will be there to support them when they need it. We will keep the triple lock, the winter fuel payment, the older person’s bus pass and other pensioner benefits, ensuring that older people have the security and dignity they deserve."
