Mr Kwarteng said that despite the pressures on the public finances, the Government would maintain the state pension “triple lock” but refused to commit to uprating benefits in line with inflation.

Pensioners will be guaranteed an inflation-equalling rise next year, the Government confirmed yesterday.

Twelve million people on the state payout can expect to see it increase from its current level of £9,627 to £10,589.

Kwasi Kwarteng spoke out to quell 24 hours of speculation that the popular triple lock pension guarantee would be delayed for another year in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

Want to see more SNP fails? – Health Matters

Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter and join the fightback against Scottish Nationalism.