\n\t\t\t\t\tAlmost every age group backs the triple lock despite concerns it is becoming an unaffordable promise\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n
Voters back the state pension triple lock by a huge margin, polling shows, with more than half of 25 to 34-year-olds supporting the measure.<\/p>\n
The strength of support poses a political headache for Sir Keir Starmer and other party leaders, given the costliness of the policy and the pressures on public finances.<\/p>\n
The triple lock<\/a> was introduced by David Cameron in 2010 and guarantees that the state pension rises each year by the highest of 2.5 per cent, inflation, or earnings growth.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n In April it went up \u00a3472 a year, with the increase linked to wages, which had risen by 4.1 per cent.<\/p>\n The policy\u2019s design works as a ratchet effect driving up expenditure, with critics claiming it is becoming increasingly unaffordable<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n However, polling by BMG Research conducted at the end of May shows that it continues to command strong public support among almost all age groups.<\/p>\n The poll of 1,510 adults in Great Britain between 28 and 29 May found that 57 per cent of voters support the triple lock, with only 7 per cent opposed.<\/p>\n Even among those far away from retirement age, support for the measure considerably exceeds opposition.<\/p>\n For example, among 25 to 34 year-olds, 51 per cent back the triple lock, with just 10 per cent opposed.<\/p>\n Among those aged 55 and above, support stands at 76 per cent, with only 3 per cent against.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Since coming to power, Labour have been hit by a major backlash against Rachel Reeves\u2019s decision to means-test winter fuel payments<\/a>, with Starmer performing a U-turn last month<\/a> with a pledge to widen eligibility to the allowance.<\/p>\n The poll found that 61 per cent of people thought that the Government was doing \u201ctoo little\u201d to support pensioners, with only 20 per cent thinking it was doing \u201cabout enough\u201d and 9 per cent thinking it was doing \u201ctoo much\u201d.<\/p>\n The public considered pensioners to be the group which was most overlooked, followed by disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.<\/p>\n Many commentators believe that the backlash against the winter fuel decision has made is much less likely that Labour will abolish the triple lock, with Starmer saying his Government is \u201ccommitted to the triple lock\u201d.<\/p>\n Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said \u201cGiven the wide-ranging opposition to reform of the winter fuel payment it\u2019s fair to say that any move to scrap the triple lock would receive enormous pushback.<\/p>\n \u201cThe debate has often been couched in generational fairness \u2013 not overburdening the working population so if the data shows the triple lock is also supported by younger age groups then this further complicates matters.\u201d<\/p>\n The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has previously been accused of wanting to water down the triple lock<\/a>, after saying she wanted to \u201clook at means testing\u201d in response to a question about the state pension. However, the Tories later denied that she had plans to abolish it.<\/p>\n Nigel Farage has also found himself under pressure over the triple lock.<\/p>\n At a press conference last week, the Reform UK leader refused to guarantee it if his party came to power<\/a>. \u201cThe triple lock for pensioners is not something we\u2019ve addressed as yet. We will, between now and the next election,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n