Jeremy Hunt makes Tory manifesto pledge over state pension triple lock on Laura Kuenssberg

By Katie Harris, Political Reporter

Jeremy Hunt confirmed the state pension triple lock will be included in the Tory manifesto.

The Chancellor told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: "I can confirm it will be yes.

"There are two very important things I would say about that. When we came to office in 2010 pensioners were more likely to be in poverty than other income groups now because of the triple lock that we introduced they are less likely to be in poverty.

"I think that's a very important social change because unlike adults of working age pensioners can't work, they've retired, so we need to respect that.

"The second thing I would say is that is an expensive commitment and you can only make that commitment if you're confident you're going to deliver the economic growth that will pay for it.

"What we saw in the Budget was because we have a plan for growth that means we can make that very important commitment."

Under the triple lock, the state pension usually rises each April by whichever is highest out of inflation, wages or 2.5%.

MORE TO FOLLOW