Reform UK leader Farage refused to provide any certainty to pensioners during a keynote speech on Monday, saying that no-one could currently “project on pensions or thresholds”.

This followed on from deputy leader Richard Tice confirming that when it came to the triple lock “everything’s up for review”.

The triple lock guarantees that the state pension will rise at the same rate as inflation, average wages or 2.5% – whichever is highest.

Farage also threatened cuts in support for the most vulnerable when he said he would implement “the biggest benefit cuts you’ve probably ever heard any government do.”

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SNP Kirsty Blackman has warned that further cuts would have a devastating impact on Scotland’s pensioners who are currently tackling a “Westminster-made” cost of living crisis.

“Westminster is again lining up to pick the pockets of pensioners,” she said.

Kirsty Blackman (Image: PA)

“Keir Starmer came into office and his first act was to cut the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners. It is becoming crystal clear that one of Nigel Farage’s first acts, if he comes to power, will be scrapping the triple lock.  

“Whether it’s under Starmer right now or with Farage in the future, Westminster governments are a real threat to Scottish pensioners and their pensions. 

“It is worth remembering and repeating that Westminster governments have left the UK with one of the lowest state pensions in the OECD. That dire economic reality has been deepened by the disaster of Brexit and its impact on the public finances – and now the architect of that Brexit disaster Nigel Farage is coming back to impose more damage on pensioners and the most vulnerable. 

“The only way to stop Westminster imposing further cuts and to protect our pensioners is through a fresh start with independence.”

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In a speech in London, Farage abandoned billions of pounds worth of tax pledges but vowed welfare cuts and a huge dip in public sending if he gets into power.

He claimed economic turmoil would force a General Election in 2027 as he moaned that Brexit opportunities had been “squandered”.

As well as refusing to commit to the triple lock, he suggested the minimum wage should be lowered for young workers and doubled down on his plan to create a scheme to help wealthy overseas tycoons avoid taxes.

He said: “There’s an argument the minimum wage is too high for younger workers. Particularly given that we’ve lowered the level at which NIC (National Insurance Contributions) is paid to £5000 a year.

“So do one or the other. Either lift the cap at which NIC is due, or lower the minimum wage for lower workers. But you know what? I’d say this to the Chancellor – do something.”

Farage said he would go ahead with creating a Britannia Card, which would see the super-rich from overseas pay £250,000 to avoid tax on overseas earnings and inheritance tax.

Reform’s manifesto last year committed the party to tax cuts worth around a third of the NHS budget, including raising the personal allowance to £20,000, introducing a £100,000 tax-free allowance for companies and exempting some high street firms from business rates.

At the time, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said the plans, along with £50 billion of spending commitments and £150 billion of cuts, were “problematic” and cost far more than Reform claimed.