Scottish Conservative leader urged to explain whether he believes triple lock should be means tested

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today written to the Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay to ask whether he agrees with Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch’s comments in which she said that she would look at means testing the pension triple lock.

The triple lock was introduced by the Liberal Democrats to protect the state pension, by ensuring it increases each year by at least 2.5%, or in line with average wage increases or inflation if they are higher. If means testing were introduced by the Conservatives it would mean some pensioners would lose out on the annual automatic uprating of the state pension.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

Dear Russell,

I am writing to ask whether you agree with Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch’s comments in which she said that she would look at means testing the triple lock for pensions?

Kemi Badenoch’s comments sent a shiver down the spine of millions of pensioners across the country. Older people have already seen their fuel payments for this winter ripped away by the Labour Government and now the Conservatives seem to want to come after their state pension.

The Liberal Democrats are proud that we introduced the triple lock to protect people’s pensions. We will fight to protect pensioners from Conservative attempts to scrap it every step of the way.

Are you able to confirm how many pensioners would lose out as a result if these changes were applied in Scotland?

Your sincerely,

Alex Cole-Hamilton