Future Conservative Government Will ‘Protect’ State Pension

David Cameron has said the state pension would continue to rise by at least 2.5% a year until 2020 if the Conservatives win the next election.

The Prime Minister has pledged to keep the “triple lock” system, which ensures the state pension goes up by whichever is higher – inflation, wages or 2.5%.  He said it was “fair” to prioritise pensions even at a time when benefits for younger people were being slashed.

Mr Cameron has described the “triple lock” announcement as the “first plank” of the Conservative general election manifesto.  But in an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, he rejected suggestions it was a purely political move aimed at attracting older voters back to the Conservative fold.

The Prime Minister told Andrew Marr, “It’s a choice based on values, based on my values.  I want people when they reach retirement to know that they can have dignity and security in their old age.

“People who have worked hard, who have done the right thing, who have provided for their families, they should then know they will get a decent state pension and they don’t have to worry about it lagging behind prices or earnings and I think that’s the right choice for the country.”