Pension triple lock threat as Conservatives float scrapping guaranteed income boost for older Brits

Kemi Badenoch has ignited controversy by suggesting the Conservatives are considering "means testing" the state pension triple lock. The Tory leader indicated that the pledge, which ensures the state pension increases by the highest of average earnings, inflation, or 2.5%, could be up for political debate as the UK economy struggles to meet growth targets.

This follows Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride's remarks last month, describing the triple lock as "unsustainable" in the long run. Ms Badenoch's remarks came during a response to an LBC caller who pointed out that some Brits benefiting from the pension triple lock might not need it and proposed reallocating some funds towards housing.

She said: "That's exactly the sort of thing that policy work we are going to do is going to look at." When pressed by LBC presenter Iain Dale on whether they would scrutinise the triple lock, she confirmed: "We're going to look at means testing [the triple lock]. Means testing is something which we don't do properly here."

READ MORE: Brits urged to contact DWP as another 'injustice' means thousands could be due payout

Her comments come after months of criticism from the Conservative benches in the Commons over Labour's decision to scrap the universal Winter Fuel Payment for pension-age Brits and make it means-tested. When asked if Labour means-testing the payment, worth up to £300, was an attack on pensioners, Badenoch told GB News: "Yes."

Kemi Badenoch went on to say: "I'm someone who has always said, for example, that millionaires should not be getting the winter fuel payment. But what Rachel Reeves has done is the extreme version of that, where people who are actually on the breadline have had their winter fuel payment taken away.

"We