Chancellor-Benefits To Rise By Inflation; Triple Lock On Pensions Remains

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on welfare/cost of living: "...This winter, we will stick with the plan to spend £55bn to help households and businesses with their energy bills"

• Hunt: "From April, we will continue the Energy Price Guarantee for a further 12 months at a higher level of £3000 per year for the average household. With prices forecast to remain elevated through next year, this will still mean an average of £500 support for every household."
• Hunt: "there have also been some representations to keep the uplift to working age and disability benefits below the level of inflation given the financial constraints we face. But that would not be consistent with our commitment to protect the most vulnerable so today I also commit to uprate such benefits by inflation with an increase of 10.1%. That is an expensive commitment costing £11bn."
• Hunt: "But the cost of living crisis is harming all pensioners so because we have taken difficult decisions elsewhere in this statement, I can today announce that we will fulfil our pledge to the country to protect the pensions Triple Lock."