𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The jury has come to a unanimous verdict. Those were the words of Reform leader Nigel Farage as he and Reform Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick unveiled plans to keep the triple lock on state pensions. The lock – which guarantees the state pension rises in line with inflation, earnings or 2.5% annually, whichever is highest – was previously something the Reform boss said was up for debate. Not anymore. And that is while factoring in the huge sums involved, something critics say unfairly prioritises the elderly over the young.

True, the lock is especially popular among a grey demographic Reform is keen to win over, not least by appealing to straggling Tory voters. But this felt more than an opportunistic appeal to pensioners. After all, a majority of voters collectively favour keeping the lock, and – as Reform Shadow Chancellor said – young people are loathe to see their parents and grandparents suffer in their twilight years.

For Farage, this isn’t about intergenerational warfare, but rather putting UK taxpayers first, those who paid into the system all their lives.

Farage said in the weeks ahead Reform will announce detailed cuts to out-of-control welfare spending, especially to migrants, in answer to critics who question how keeping the lock can be afforded. Time and again Farage warned about the grotesque economic impact of the ‘Boriswave’ of uncontrolled post-Covid migration.

Jenrick argued that at a time when energy bills and living costs are rising, it is right Reform commits to pension payments for lifetime taxpayers among the British people.

For Farage, only his party is credibly setting out sound economic plans to yes, maintain the lock, but also to slash wasteful spending, especially when it goes to those who essentially rocked up in Blighty five minutes ago.

As I often say, nothing Reform says would look out of place in democratic and developed East Asia. This was one of those occasions. Far from a gimmick, this was a concrete policy to put British people first.

When asked whether the young would feel the heat from this, Farage argued against Labour and the Tories with their absurd education policies, as well as the impact of higher taxes on jobs prospects.

Finally, Jenrick made clear this builds on Richard Tice’s announcements on local government pensions schemes. In essence there will be serious changes when it comes to new entrants for defined benefits pensions schemes across Britain if Reform is in power.

This was about sustainability, affordability and putting British taxpayers first. We can expect further policy outlines in the coming weeks on welfare and the cost of migration. But the jury is back with its verdict: Reform will keep the lock and put British people first.