'If Burnham scraps the triple lock I am doomed' - fury mounts over Labour's pension plans

'If Burnham scraps the triple lock I am doomed' - fury mounts over Labour's pension plans EXCLUSIVE: Like hundreds of thousands of pensioners Keith Sutton is struggling to survive but fears things will get significantly worse if Labour axes the triple lock. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Giles Sheldrick 11:58, Sun, Oct 18, 2026 Updated: 12:00, Sun, Oct 18, 2026 Pensioners are worried about the future of the triple lock. (Image: Jonathan Buckmasterr) Frustrated Keith Sutton says he is one of millions of pensioners abandoned by Labour and claims his generation is seen as a hindrance rather than an asset by the Government. The grafter claims his generation is being “forgotten”. Keith, 68, who cares for his wife, has been left anxious and angry at plans to axe the state pension triple lock. And he fears that if the mechanism by which he receives a modest annual increase is scrapped, his living standards will completely collapse. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT He said: “Under this Government, pensioners are the little people who have been abandoned, left on their own. I feel we have all been forgotten. “My state pension has to keep the house running, pay ever-increasing energy costs, buy food and pay bills. If the Government abolishes the triple lock , I am doomed.” Get personal finance news, money saving tips and advice plus selcted offers and competitions I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Currently, the state pension increases each April by the highest of inflation, 2.5% or average earnings. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT But under plans announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham from 2030, it will rise either in line with prices, or 2.5% each year, whichever is higher – but it will not rise in line with earnings unless its value has fallen behind. In that case, it will be adjusted to keep pace. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Labour has called the policy on which it will fight the next general election an “adjusted triple lock”, but critics claim it is proof the party views pensioners - which collectively make up one fifth of the electorate - as expendable, coming after it tried to scrap the Winter Fuel Allowance. London-born former bus and coach driver Keith, 68, toiled behind the wheel for 50 years but feels pensioners like him have been cast aside in favour of those who feel they are entitled to a litany of taxpayer handouts. He now lives mortgage -free in Redruth, Cornwall, where he cares for wife Kim, 63, who is unable to work because she has suffered three heart attacks and has crippling arthritis. She is entitled to £255 a month in Universal Credit, but the bulk of their income comes from Keith’s state pension, which totals £965.20 and is paid every 28 days. He has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, so he also qualifies for Attendance Allowance, which totals £306.80 and is also paid every 28 days. Keith admitted that life is a struggle and is becoming harder, saying: “Everything is hand to mouth - there is no help - and this after I paid into the system all my life. “I never thought life in old age would end up like this. “The price of goods and services is going up, but my pension isn’t. “Some days I just don’t know how we are going to survive. Our money dwindles so the unexpected can’t happen anymore. We live with our fingers crossed. “Across the country, pensioners like myself are too proud to make a song and dance about it, but we are struggling. Every month I have to rob Peter to pay Paul. “When I was younger, I thought old age was somebody in a flat cap with blankets wrapped around them to keep warm - that’s not a vision any longer; that’s the reality these days “We need people to fight for us, and that is why we back the Express and its campaign to protect the triple lock.” Kim, a former chef, said: “We buy the cheapest of the cheap food-wise and stretch meals so they last two or three days. “We grow our own vegetables to save costs too. “We can see our money dwindling away before our eyes - £100 today is not worth anywhere near what it was, even compared to last year. “Our house is oil-heated - and that has quadrupled in price - 500 litres used to last six months. Now we turn the heating off and make 10 bags of coal last two weeks.” Support our campaign to protect the triple lock The Daily Express has a long-running campaign to protect the triple lock. The policy - which sees the state pension rise by the highest out of earnings growth, inflation and 2.5% - is a lifeline for many pensioners surviving on modest incomes. This newspaper launched our Save Our Pension Triple Lock crusade in 2022, calling on all political parties to back the measure. At the last General Election in 2024, all the main parties committed to keeping the triple lock in a major victory. As fresh questions swirl around the policy's long-term future, we will continue the campaign to keep it in place. To support our campaigning journalism, sign up to Express Premium to receive access to our exclusive subscriber-only journalism, an ad-lite reading experience and our subscribers-only newsletters for only £6.99 a month or £52 for the year. The triple lock was introduced in 2011 by the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition Government to address rising pensioner poverty caused by linking state pensions only to prices. In 1979, the state pension was worth 26% of average earnings, but the link with wages was cut in 1980 and before the triple lock, it had plunged to 16% of average earnings. The mechanism reversed the fall and the full new state pension - £241.30 a week or £12,547.60 a year - is equal to roughly 30% of median full-time pay. In one of its first acts after winning the 2024 General Election, Labour axed annual cold weather cash payments, saying only those in receipt of Pension Credit would get it. It meant that instead of cash being automatically paid to 10.8 million pensioners in England and Wales, the number of recipients was slashed to 1.5 million. Despite an outcry, the lump sum, introduced by former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown and given to all pensioners since 1997, was scrapped and only those passing a humiliating means-test were able to qualify. The move sparked an outcry, but it was only after pressure from the Express that former Chancellor Rachel Reeves was forced to make a chastening about-turn. The tax-free Government grant of £200 per household, or £300 per household where there is someone over 80, is made automatically to around 9million OAPs. The Express has vowed to fight to protect the triple lock, which sees the state pension increase each April by the highest of inflation, 2.5% or average earnings. In a story familiar to millions of pensioners, Keith is fearful of what could be announced in next week’s Budget. He said: “People wouldn’t have the society we have today if it wasn’t for us, but all I see coming out of the Labour Party is attacks on pensioners. It’s appalling. “I cannot claim Pension Credit as she is of working age but cannot work. “I would love to see Andy Burnham or anyone else in this pensioner-bashing Government live on what we do, even with the triple lock in place. “If it is abolished, it really will be a case of do I keep warm or do I eat a decent meal? “Something is just not right. We may be old, we may need social care, but the boomers rebuilt this country after the war - so why on Earth should we be penalised in the twilight of our years?” The Treasury said: “As has always been the case, the Chancellor will set out his decisions at the Budget, rather than routinely commenting on rumour, speculation or proposals.” State Pension Triple lock Budget 2026 Winter fuel payment Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments