The impact of ditching the triple lock cannot be downplayed - Yorkshire Post Letters

From: David Gray, Liversedge.

David Behrens on Saturday, October 3 seems to deal with the State Pension and Triple Lock situation with some sarcasm. His figures show a £3 difference between the triple lock and the double lock proposed for the 2030 onwards.

That £3 is £150 pounds per year, three times the £45 on electric bills being offered this winter (which is in itself a very high estimate for electricity, when gas is the largest charge). It is also over 10 per cent of pension levels. It has to be remembered that those who rely solely on the state pension are dealing in very small amounts, which seems to cloud the thinking of those on higher incomes.

On the other hand, if the double lock is only making a small reduction, why is it so important to save the fortunes of our economy? People in other state pension schemes, civil service, police, military etc. would cause a riot if the terms of their schemes are being reduced.

It also needs to be remembered that every worker has paid into the state scheme over the years. There must have been 35 years of contribution into the scheme to get a full pension out of it, and the pension is fully taxable. Certainly those on the level of total income only pay tax if their pension is over the £12,570 limit, but the marginal rate tax they pay is at the highest tax rate, either 40 per cent or 45 per cent.

In contrast the Saturday Essay by Sarah Todd on page 18 of the same edition gave a much more realistic assessment of the situation.

Pensioners are usually in a position that what their pension or pensions pay is what they are stuck with. A small amount of savings may pay for carers for a year, or a set of false teeth.

Most of those in the middle of their life have the option to work more hours, train for better positions, economise in their expectations when necessary, do minor repairs or chores themselves.

We need to have these discussions bearing in mind all levels of the income tree and disability tree, not just from the comfort level of where those who are lawmakers or media writers or think tanks, experience.