Today pensioners are £900 a year better off after an 8.5% rise to the State Pension, thanks to the Triple Lock. This follows a 10.1% rise last year, and we have committed to include the Triple Lock in our manifesto once again this year.
Because of the Triple Lock, the Basic State Pension has increased by £3,700 since 2010 - that's £1,000 more than if we had just increased it by inflation (as it was done previously).
I know there has been some concern about the impact of tax thresholds on pensioners. Since 2010, when the Conservatives entered Government, we’ve nearly doubled the threshold from £6,475 in 2010/11 to £12,570 now, well above inflation, taking lots of low earners - as well as those whose only income is a state pension - out of tax altogether.
Since I was elected in 2019 I have been fighting for pensioners. Most recently I held my Pensioners' Fair, with 40 stalls offering advice and services to pensioners. I want to highlight a few of these over the next week - starting with Alzheimer's Research UK.
Their presence really enriched the event, and I'm thankful for the invaluable contribution they made towards raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Throughout the day, their stall provided a wealth of information, resources, and support for attendees. From informative pamphlets to engaging discussions, they offered a beacon of hope and understanding for those affected by Alzheimer's and their loved ones.
Beyond the fair, the work that Alzheimer's Research UK undertakes on a daily basis is nothing short of remarkable. A great commitment to funding ground-breaking research, advocating for policy change, and offering vital support services underscores their unwavering dedication to fighting dementia in all its forms.
https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/