Pat Hughes, 70, says the triple lock guarantee has gone some way to levelling the financial playing field for pensioners, many of whom were plunged into poverty when they retired.
“I think it’s crucial that the cash gap between earners and the retired is narrowed, after all, those currently receiving the state pensions have paid taxes for many, many decades to fund it,” said the retired nurse from Broadstairs, in Kent.
“There are important reasons why the government must keep the triple lock on pensions.
“First, we need a government that delivers on its promises. Also, at a time of great economic uncertainty, pensioners who have worked their whole lives and contributed to the growth, prosperity and security of the nation, should not be shunted aside because of the convenient myth that they are all well off.
“We are not. Some of us are just barely getting by. Keeping the triple lock is not some trickle-down trick.”
Ms Hughes, a mother of two sons and a grandmother of own, who lives with her partner John Aisling, 72, added: “For older people like me, it’s real economics at the household level. It makes a difference in my day-to-day life.
“Also, most pensioners for whom the state pension is crucial to enable them to pay the bills are not in receipt of the ‘new’ higher rate of pension which is so often quoted.
“They’re too old and were born before the new system cut-off date was introduced.
“The triple lock will help make Britain a fairer society and foster true growth while just possibly helping to restore faith in democratic politics.”
