Ready for Tories' next rebellion: Truss refuses to commit to raising benefits in line with inflation

4 October 2022, 07:57 | Updated: 4 October 2022, 09:58

Listen Again: Nick Ferrari speaks to Prime Minister Liz Truss

Fran Way

By Fran Way

Liz Truss has refused to commit to raising benefits in line with inflation.

But speaking with Nick Ferrari this morning, the Prime Minister said she was ‘fully committed’ to raising pensions as one of her key promises during the leadership contest.

She explained: "Well I committed during the leadership election campaign, that we will protect the triple lock, which means that pensioners get either 2.5% prices or wages, whichever is the higher. And it's very difficult when you are a pensioner to adjust your income in any way.

"People are facing higher prices. Of course, what we're doing on the energy price guarantee will help people with those prices. Now, no decision has been made yet on benefit uprating. That decision will be taken in June."

Liz Truss
Liz Truss. Picture: Getty images

READ MORE:Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng U-turn on scrapping 45p tax rate

READ MORE: Kwasi Kwarteng: ‘Difficult call’ to attend post-budget drinks party

Liz Truss pushed on why pensions will rise but benefits will not

Nick asked: "So why are pensioners more important than those in receipt of benefits?"

She replied: "People are in a different situation, depending on which stage of life they're in. And I think it is right that we made a commitment to pensioners that we will protect the triple lock. I'm sticking with that commitment. As I've said, no decision has been made, Nick."

She said that no decision has been made on whether benefits like universal credit would be getting an uplift – in line with inflation but that a decision would be made ‘in due course’, however she didn't commit to a timeline of when that might happen.

Nick then pushed on, asking the prime minister if somebody in their 70s is more important than a mum of two who gets benefits to survive.

Nick Ferrari live from the Conservative conference
Nick Ferrari live from the Conservative conference. Picture: Screenshot from live on air

The PM explained that they're 'in a different situation', later clarifying: "What I mean is, when people are on a fixed income like pensions, it's quite hard to adjust. I think there's a different situation for people who are in the position to work - of course we should look at that."

When quizzed on whether she thinks people on benefits 'should just go and get a job', she said she wants to make sure more people are going to into work and getting more hours.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A local resident pushes a bicycle past a destroyed residential building following shelling in the town of Toretsk, eastern Donetsk region

Russia 'to keep land seized from Ukraine in peace deal' as talks resume in UK - and agreement 'could come this week'

Not enough NHS staff to ensure safe care on wards, survey finds

'Wake-up call for health service': Too few nursing staff on duty to provide safe NHS care, says report

Trump to let Putin keep hold of territory seized from Ukraine under the terms of a proposed peace deal

Trump to let Putin keep hold of territory seized from Ukraine under terms of a proposed peace deal

first editions of the First Four Folios of William Shakespeare's collected plays

300-year-old Shakespeare folios to go on auction expected to fetch up to £4.5 million

Bowel cancer. doctor wearing a medical mask shows to senior woman intestines anatomical model during a visit to the clinic

Blood test which could detect up to 12 common cancers being assessed for NHS use

BRITAIN-CRIME-MURDER-TRIAL

Police officers who fail background checks to be automatically sacked under new rules

Rubbish Piles Up In Birmingham As Refuse Workers' Continue Strike Action

Birmingham bin strike talks set to resume after weeks of rubbish piled up on streets

Disney+ Flintoff London Premiere

'I couldn’t get out of the room' - Freddie Flintoff reveals mental health struggles after horror Top Gear car crash

The crash took place on the A25, between Bletchingly and Godstone.

Three-vehicle crash in Surrey kills three people, including 13-year-old boy

Hundreds of bin workers have been on all-out strike for more than a month

At least 26,000 tonnes of rubbish removed from Birmingham’s streets, says minister as strikes continue

Three Medway Council workers walking along Rochester High Street in Kent in the UK.

More than 1.5 million council workers offered pay increase of 3.2%, as lowest paid workers to get £6,000 increase

American Film Institute's 46th Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute to George Clooney - Reception

George Clooney makes shock confession about 11-year marriage to wife Amal

British Police Officer With Taser Gun, London, England

Tasers trialled in prisons after Manchester bomb plotter attack injured four officers

Woman admits gross negligence manslaughter after deaths of four paddleboarders during Pembrokeshire tour.

Owner of paddleboarding company ‘not remotely qualified’ to lead tour in which four people drowned in river

Kenneth Lingard, 86, arrives at Liverpool Crown Court

Former Manchester United and England star Jesse Lingard gives evidence at grandfather's sex assault trial

Nationwide has cut mortgage rates as low as 3.89%

Nationwide cuts mortgage rate as banks announce changes that could allow people to borrow more