NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has welcomed the biggest ever cash rise in the basic state pension as it comes into effect this month.

The Government’s new ‘triple lock’ guarantee on the basic state pension ensures it rises every year with inflation, earnings or at 2.5 per cent – whichever is the highest.

This week, it will rise by £5.30 a week or £276 a year. As a result of the triple lock, pensioners will be an average of £15,000 better off over the course of their retirement.

“Thanks to the Conservatives in government, 18,100 pensioners in North Wiltshire will take home the largest ever increase in the state pension, an extra £5.30 a week from this month,” said Mr Gray. “For 13 years, the previous Government had promised to restore the link between earnings and the state pension, but did nothing. This resulted in older people getting paltry pension increases – as little as 75 pence one year.

“But the Conservatives in government have reformed the State Pension, introducing the triple lock, which ensures that pensions always rise by the greatest of inflation, earnings or 2.5 per cent.“