\n\t\t\t\t\tReform UK’s Treasury spokesperson says the party will soon reveal more about its pensions policy\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n
Robert Jenrick<\/a> has hinted that Reform UK<\/a> could retain the state pension triple lock<\/a> after his party leader Nigel Farage<\/a> cast doubt on it.<\/p>\n Jenrick, who was unveiled as Farage\u2019s pick for chancellor on Monday should the party ever form government, said he had \u201calways been a supporter of the triple lock\u201d and that Reform would \u201cprotect pensioners\u201d.<\/p>\n This appears to be at odds with comments by Farage who said the lock was \u201copen for debate\u201d.<\/p>\n It suggests early tensions between Farage and Jenrick<\/a>, a high-profile defector from the Tories who has been handed his new party\u2019s Treasury brief<\/a>.<\/p>\n New FeatureIn ShortQuick Stories. Same trusted journalism.<\/p>\n Shortly after Jenrick\u2019s press conference on Tuesday, Farage told journalists that \u201cI haven\u2019t changed my mind\u201d on the triple lock and \u201ceverything is open for debate\u201d.<\/p>\n The future of the policy \u2013 which guarantees the state pension<\/a> will rise each year by whatever is highest out of inflation, average earnings growth or 2.5 per cent \u2013 is set to become a major flashpoint at the next election, due in 2029.<\/p>\n It has seen pensions rise significantly over the last few years due to high inflation, leading to fears that it is not affordable in the longer term.<\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019re always going to protect pensioners\u2019<\/p>\n Taking questions from journalists on Tuesday after delivering a speech in the City of London on Reform\u2019s economic policy<\/a>, Jenrick was asked whether he would commit to maintaining the triple lock into the next election.<\/p>\n Jenrick said: \u201cWe\u2019re going to say more about this in the coming days, but I\u2019ve always been a supporter of the triple lock. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s incredibly important to provide dignity and security to all the people on fixed incomes in the last decades of their life, particularly in a time like this when there\u2019s such challenging circumstances with the cost of living<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I don\u2019t think your readers will be disappointed, but we\u2019ll say more in the coming weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked again about the triple lock, he added: \u201cWe\u2019re always going to protect pensioners<\/a>. We\u2019re always going to protect pensioners, because we want them to live in dignity and security and we appreciate how life has been tough for them as a result of the bad policies of both the last Conservative government and this one, energy prices for example, that has put immense strain on their budgets.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked a third time, he replied: \u201cYour readers will not be disappointed by our view on [the lock]. We want to protect pensioners and those who rely on it.\u201d<\/p>\n Jenrick\u2019s comments differ markedly from those by Farage.<\/p>\n \u2018Everything is up for discussion\u2019 \u2013 Farage<\/p>\n