Pensions Triple Lock

John Grady Excerpts

Tuesday 13th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Pat McFadden]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to stress the importance of the social care workforce. That is why we are not waiting until April 2030 to make improvements for the social care workforce. She is also right to say that as a result of the changes that I have spoken about in my statement, extra funding will be available to the Scottish Government, in addition to the record financial settlement they have already received since the general election. Were we in a different environment, we could have a constructive discussion with the Scottish Government about how to build the best social care system throughout the UK. Instead, we have the usual claims of perfection, which my hon. Friend knows are not the experience of her constituents.

[John Grady (Glasgow East) (Lab)]

The Conservatives show remarkable flexibility when it comes to the triple lock, but absolute commitment to the reckless management of public finances and uncosted pledges. Will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State confirm the following points to pensioners in Glasgow East and Scotland: that the triple lock will remain in place until 2030; that, following 2030, the pension will always keep track with prices; and further, that it will rise more than that, if needed, to keep its relative value for earnings? Will he confirm that Scottish pensioners are protected under our proposals, that no pensioner will lose money as a result of our proposals and that the Labour party always has Scottish pensioners’ backs?

[Pat McFadden]

My hon. Friend is right to point out that the state pension will continue to rise in each and every year. He is also right to point out that the shadow Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Helen Whately), having confirmed that the Conservatives oppose these changes, is now left with the question of where they would find the money to continue paying the triple lock, should they ever come into power after the next election, and where they would find the money to fund social care improvements. Her failure to respond to those questions completely undermines their waving around more and more savings to fund their growing list of unfunded tax promises. We have seen that movie before, and we know how it ends because the British people are still paying the price.