Tories would have to raise state pension age above 70 to keep triple lock, says minister

Kemi Badenoch attacked reforms but is not being clear about how party would meet costs, Torsten Bell claims

Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives would have to raise the state pension age above 70 to meet the cost of keeping the triple lock, Treasury minister Torsten Bell has claimed.

Labour has announced reforms to the triple-lock promise to come into force in the next parliament – with the initial proceeds earmarked for Andy Burnham’s national care service.

The Conservatives have attacked the move, and insisted they would stick with the triple lock, which increases the state pension each year in line with the largest of inflation, 2.5% or earnings growth.