Tories committed to pension triple lock, deputy leader says

Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart has described pensioners as a "special case" as he reaffirmed the party's commitment to the state pension triple lock.

He argued that retirees deserve different treatment because, once they stop working, they can do "absolutely nothing" to increase their income.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has set out plans to end the existing state pension triple lock from 2030 to help fund a new national care service.

In a round of interviews with BBC local radio stations, Burghart suggested that any "difficult decisions" on welfare should focus on working-age benefits.

He told BBC Radio Berkshire that it was "obvious" there should be two different approaches to welfare – one for pensioners and another for working-age adults.

He said pensioners had "reached the end of their working lives" and there was "nothing they can do to improve their circumstances", adding that they had "a right to be looked after properly".

"The same is not true for people who are working age," he said.

Burghart added: "I just think it's a very practical and decent argument and that most people will understand that."