And remember we also have one of the worst pensions in Europe. One of the very least generous in the whole G7 ππΌππ»
The full UK State Pension is now worth around Β£12,548 a year. That's less than half the earnings of someone working full-time on the National Minimum Wage, despite many pensioners paying taxes and National Insurance for 40, 50 or even 60 years.
Yet every time the Treasury needs money, the same voices appear demanding the Triple Lock be scrapped.
Why?
State pension spending is forecast at around Β£154 billion this year, but that supports over 13 million pensioners, many of whom rely on it as their primary income. Meanwhile, billions continue to disappear into failed projects, government waste, bureaucracy, consultants, quangos and policies that deliver little value to ordinary taxpayers.
The Triple Lock isn't some gold-plated luxury. It exists because politicians allowed the State Pension to fall behind for decades. Even today, a full State Pension is barely above the poverty line and is nowhere near a typical working wage.
If politicians want to save money, start with waste, inefficiency and failed spending programmes.
Leave pensioners alone.
They worked, they paid in, they built this country and they deserve dignity in retirement, not another raid on their income.