Triple lock pensions pledge to cost taxpayer extra £3bn, says OBR

The Government could face an extra £3 billion bill from its triple lock pensions pledge as retirees look set to bank a steep rise in the state pension next year, according to the UK’s official forecaster.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said pensioners could see their payouts rise by as much as 8% from April 2022 due to the Government’s triple-lock guarantee.

It estimated the increase would add around another £3 billion a year to government spending, on top of what was already budgeted.

The triple lock guarantees that the state pension increases in line with inflation, earnings or 2.5% – whichever is higher.

But unusually strong recent rises in earnings as a result of the pandemic mean the payout is expected to jump – and prove expensive for the Government.

Wage growth has already risen by 5.6% in the three months to April, according to the latest official figures.

That is a lot more than the 4.6% forecast in March by the OBR and it said earnings growth is “almost certain to rise further” before the next state pension increase is calculated, with many experts predicting wage growth will hit 8%.

“So, if earnings growth in the three months to July period that determines triple lock uprating for next April was 8%, as some expect, that would add around £3 billion a year to spending,” the OBR said.

The Government has dismissed speculation that it may look to sidestep the triple lock guarantee, insisting in recent weeks that it is “fully committed” to the Conservative Party manifesto promise.

But it comes as a result of artificially high earnings growth, with pay comparing with a year ago when wages were depressed with many people being furloughed, while many jobs axed in the pandemic have also been lower-paid roles.

While it may be bad news for the Government, whose spending is already under pressure after enormous support measures offered during the pandemic, it will come as welcome news for Britain’s state pensioners, who receive up to £179.60 a week at present.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said last month: “There is still significant uncertainty around the trajectory of average earnings and whether there will be a spike as has been forecasted.

“Our focus is to ensure fairness both for pensioners and taxpayers.”