Elderly see through PM's pension spiel

Basic rate payments will increase to £107.45 a week from today after inflation in September - the month when the uprating of benefits is set - hits 5.2 per cent.

Mr Cameron said: "We owe older people in society our respect, our support and our care. That's why from the start I've made sure this government protects pensioners and gives them the help they need.

"We brought in the triple-lock to restore the link between pensions and earnings - guaranteeing the basic state pension rises by whichever is highest out of rises in prices, average earnings or 2.5 per cent.

"Today we're delivering with a 5.2 per cent increase in the basic state pension, an extra £5.30 a week, the largest cash rise in history.

"At a time when we're having to make cuts elsewhere, this is further proof of this government's commitment to the elderly.

"I know these are difficult times, but my promise to pensioners is that we are on your side."

But Mr Cameron didn't impress National Pensioners Convention general secretary Dot Gibson.

She said: "Had the government not changed the linkage from the retail price index to the consumer price index pensioners would be getting £5.70 a week.

"In fact the government has given pensioners a pay cut of 40 pence a week."

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