On Tuesday 8 November, Labour held a debate in Parliament on the pensions triple lock. Stephen spoke in the debate, urging the Government to protect the triple lock and increase working age benefits in line with inflation.
The state pension was due to increase this year in line with the highest of the following: inflation, average increase in wages, or 2.5%. This is also known as the triple lock. However, the Prime Minister has not yet confirmed his plans and MPs are worried that pensions will not be increased with rising inflation.
Stephen urged the Government to assure the House that the triple lock with be protected. He also argued that benefits should be uprated with the current inflation figure. Speaking in Parliament, he said “Trussell Trust food banks gave out 2.1 million emergency food parcels in 2021-22; they gave out 60,000 in 2010-11. They have reported that demand in August and September this year was 46% higher than last year. Why is the economy failing so many people?”
You can watch Stephen’s full speech below.