Conservative voter reveals she has to live on £250 a month

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Liz Truss has insisted she is “completely committed” to the triple lock on state pensions just a day after Downing Street triggered a backlash by indicating it could be ditched. The Prime Minister told MPs on Wednesday that she and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will be increasing pensions in line with inflation, which currently stands at more than 10 percent. But pensioner Carla has explained why it’s not enough.

Speaking to BBC 5 Live, Carla said: “I’ve got a small heater and I tend to carry it around in every room.

“I can’t afford to put my heating on. I live on £250 a month. When you pay for broadband and food, it doesn’t leave very much.

“I’m just very lucky that I’ve got friends that will take me out.”

She added: “It’s just not good enough. At the end of the day, what are we supposed to do and how are we supposed to do it?

“I voted for Boris Johnson because I voted for Brexit so, that’s that.

“Why are we spending money overseas when we need it here?”

Ministers were considering ditching the manifesto promise due to the squeeze on the public finances in the wake of the mini-budget fiasco.

Ms Truss faced a fresh wave of anger after No 10 said the policy was under review and her new Chancellor failed to commit to it as he seeks to plug a multibillion-pound black hole.

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But she told Prime Minister’s Questions: “We’ve been clear in our manifesto that we will maintain the triple lock and I’m completely committed to it – so is the Chancellor.”

Downing Street said the decision was taken “jointly” by Ms Truss and Mr Hunt on Wednesday morning ahead of her appearance at the despatch box.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said it reflects the “unique position” of pensioners who are unable to increase their income through work.

“She and the Chancellor have discussed and agreed the position the Prime Minister set out this morning,” the spokesman said.

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However, Ms Truss continues to face a rebellion on another front after she refused to give the same commitment to increasing benefits in line with inflation.

Tory John Baron urged her to show “compassion in politics” by maintaining the inflation link.

Ms Truss said: “We will always work to protect the most vulnerable”, but stopped short of using the same firm language she reserved for pensions.

Existing policy dictates that, from April next year, the state pension and benefits should increase by 10.1 percent, the figure for Consumer Price Index inflation in September.

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